The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, and its chairman, Hashim Abioye, have filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammad Uma Abba, for allegedly violating their fundamental rights.
The suit, numbered FHC/05/CS/41/2025, was filed at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
The plaintiffs are demanding N2 billion as damages for what they described as unlawful arrest and detention, sealing of the commission’s office, and threats of further arrest.
In the suit, Abioye and OSSIEC claimed they were representing themselves, other members, and the entire staff, including ad-hoc staff of the commission. They argued that the actions of the police violated their rights as guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The plaintiffs asked the court to decide if their rights to liberty, dignity, private life, and property ownership had been breached by the police’s actions, especially regarding the local government elections conducted on February 22, 2025.
They sought several court declarations, including:
1. That their fundamental rights under the constitution and the African Charter were violated by the police.
2. That the arrest and detention of OSSIEC staff were illegal and unjustified.
3. That the police’s invasion and sealing of their office premises were unlawful.
4. An order for the police to vacate and unseal the OSSIEC headquarters.
5. An order for the police to pay N2 billion as damages for the breach of their fundamental rights.
It can be recalled that the police sealed off the OSSIEC office a day before the local government elections on February 22, 2025, preventing staff from carrying out their official duties.
In response to the suit, Abioye stated, “We are seeking justice not just for ourselves but for the integrity of democratic processes in Osun State. The unlawful arrest, detention, and sealing of our offices are clear violations of our rights.”
