The Accord Party House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Hon. Alaba Popoola, popularly known as Alabama, has been released from police custody after spending 26 days in detention.
According to Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council, Popoola was released following a court order granting him unconditional bail.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Olajengbesi stated that Popoola was released alongside 16 other Accord Party members who had also been detained.
He alleged that the 16 members were arrested while canvassing votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke during the Osun governorship election.
He said, “We have just secured, through the intervention of the court, the release of another 16 members of the Accord Party who have been in police detention for the past 24 hours.”
“They were arrested simply for canvassing votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State during the election. They were arrested allegedly on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police in Osun State and driven by road to Abuja, Keffi, and Suleja, where they were detained without any established offence.”
“The court also granted unconditional bail to Hon. Alaba Popoola, popularly known as Alabama, who has been detained for 26 days following his arrest, which we maintain was politically motivated and carried out at the instance of Senator Francis Fadahunsi.”
“For 26 days, Alabama was kept in detention without any credible allegation being established against him.”
“This is deeply troubling and constitutes a serious dent in the professionalism and institutional integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.”
“The Nigeria Police Force must never allow itself to become an instrument for settling political scores. Its enormous constitutional powers must be exercised in defence of citizens and the rule of law, not at the convenience of politically exposed persons.”
“We commend the judiciary for once again standing as a safeguard against arbitrary detention and abuse of state power,” he concluded.