Oyo Police: Thwarts Kwara's Tani Olohun Arrest Over Territorial Jurisdiction

• Kwara State Police officers attempted to arrest Abdulazeez Adegbola, known as Tani Olohun, in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday.
• The attempted arrest was based on an Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court warrant for alleged conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, issued due to Tani Olohun's reported failure to honor bail conditions.
• The operation was halted after intervention by residents and Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, known as Sunday Igboho.
• The Oyo State Commissioner of Police directed the Kwara officers to return to their base, citing due process and the principle of territorial jurisdiction.
• The Oyo Command advised the complainant to approach an appropriate court in Ibadan, as it was the alleged location of the offense.

The Commissioner's stance emphasized strict adherence to due process and the fundamental principle of territorial jurisdiction, which dictates that legal proceedings should generally be initiated where the alleged crime took place.

On Tuesday, an attempt by officers from the Kwara State Police Command to apprehend Abdulazeez Adegbola, widely recognized as Tani Olohun, in Ibadan, Oyo State, was thwarted following a public intervention. The incident unfolded when Kwara police personnel sought to execute an arrest warrant against Adegbola, an Isese adherent, within Oyo State territory.

The operation quickly escalated into a scuffle involving local residents who gathered at the scene. Videos widely circulated across social media platforms depicted individuals identified as police officers attempting to take Tani Olohun into custody. The situation was ultimately defused when prominent Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, intervened alongside the residents, effectively preventing the arrest. During the confrontation, one of the officers reportedly displayed his identity card to address questions from the concerned residents regarding the legality of the operation.

The Oyo State Police Command subsequently clarified that the Kwara officers were acting under the authority of an arrest warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, located in Ilorin. This warrant for Abdulazeez Adegbola, or Tani Olohun, stemmed from allegations concerning conduct deemed likely to cause a breach of public peace.

According to the statement released by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Oyo State Command, the warrant was specifically issued because Tani Olohun had allegedly failed to comply with the conditions of bail previously granted to him. This reported non-compliance prompted the Upper Ilorin Magistrates' Court to issue the order for his arrest, leading to the Kwara State Police Command's inter-state operation.

In response to the attempted arrest, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police promptly intervened, issuing a directive for the Kwara State Police officers to return to their base. This decisive action underscored the critical importance of adhering to established legal protocols, particularly concerning Nigerian police jurisdiction limits and inter-state arrest procedures.

The Oyo Command further advised the complainant in the case to pursue their grievance through the appropriate judicial channels in Ibadan. This recommendation was made on the grounds that Ibadan was the alleged location where the offense occurred, thereby falling under its specific territorial jurisdiction. The Commissioner's stance emphasized strict adherence to due process and the fundamental principle of territorial jurisdiction, which dictates that legal proceedings should generally be initiated where the alleged crime took place. This incident highlights the complexities of cross-state law enforcement actions and the necessity for police commands to respect jurisdictional boundaries.

The incident involving the attempted Territorial jurisdiction Tani Olohun arrest serves as a significant reminder of the procedural safeguards embedded within Nigeria's legal framework. The Oyo State Police Command's firm stance on the matter, as articulated by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, reinforced the necessity for all law enforcement agencies to operate strictly within their defined Nigerian police jurisdiction limits and to follow established Nigeria inter-state arrest procedure.

The Command also issued a public appeal, urging citizens to maintain calm and abide by the law, while refraining from any actions that could disrupt public peace or escalate the situation. This commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting lives and property, and ensuring professional handling of all complaints underscores the broader implications of such incidents for public trust and the effective administration of justice. The clear demarcation of Oyo Police Kwara Police jurisdiction in this case exemplifies the legal principles that govern police operations across state lines, particularly when an Abdulazeez Adegbola arrest warrant for breach of public peace warrant Nigeria is involved, originating from an Upper Ilorin Magistrates' Court warrant.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder for legal practitioners regarding the strict adherence to territorial jurisdiction and due process in the execution of arrest warrants across state boundaries in Nigeria. Lawyers should be prepared to advise clients on their rights and challenge any police actions that fail to respect these foundational principles of criminal procedure.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online