Osun police accused of invading SSG homes without warrants

• The Osun State Government accused the Nigerian Police Force of invading residences without search warrants.
• Several commissioners' homes have been raided, with properties destroyed and family members arrested.
• Accord members are languishing in CID cells without bail, sparking concerns about police partisanship.
• The government has called upon authorities to intervene and prevent further escalation of targeted violence.

These raids on the SSG and our commissioners are an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun state. This campaign of repression constitutes grave danger to democracy.

The Osun State Government has accused the state command of the Nigerian Police Force of invading the residences of top officials without proper search warrants. The latest incident involved the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, whose house was bursted by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations. Family members of the SSG were arrested and taken away, while others were holding a meeting within the compound at the time of the invasion. This is not an isolated incident, as several other commissioners' homes have been raided and their properties destroyed in recent days. The government claims that these actions are part of a systematic campaign of repression against Accord members and top officials in Osun state.

The allegations raised by the Osun State Government highlight the risk of police overreach and potential human rights violations. The police's actions, including bursting into homes without search warrants, are a clear breach of constitutional requirements and basic rights. This development underscores the need for lawyers to advise clients on navigating these complex situations and ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements. The current Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been called upon to intervene in this matter and prevent further escalation of targeted violence against top government officials and Accord members.

The Osun State Government's allegations against the police command raise serious concerns about the rule of law and the conduct of free and fair elections. The police's actions, if unchecked, could lead to a breakdown in law and order and undermine the democratic process. This is particularly concerning given that the national chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, is currently meeting with stakeholders. The government has called upon all relevant authorities to intervene and stop this targeted violence against top officials and Accord members before it escalates further.

This development highlights the risk of police overreach and potential human rights violations, requiring lawyers to advise clients on navigating these complex situations and ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH