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Human Rights Organization Demands Immediate Release of Detained Man
The Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), a prominent human rights organization, has urgently called for the release of Mr. Adetunji Muritala Raji, a 38-year-old man currently held by the Nigeria Police Force in Zone 5, Edo State.
Details of the Petition Submitted to the Inspector General of Police
In a formal petition signed by SPANCI’s President, Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, and shared with the press on Thursday, the group condemned the detention as unlawful and unconstitutional. The petition highlights that Mr. Raji was apprehended in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on November 18, 2025, and subsequently transferred to Edo State, where he remains in custody without any legal justification.
Call for Investigation and Justice
Bello urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to establish an investigative committee to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Raji’s arrest and detention. The petition also demands his immediate release, emphasizing the violation of his fundamental rights.
Allegations of Misconduct and Legal Violations
The petition accuses the police officers involved, alongside Miss Alimi Adeyinka Nafisat, of exceeding their jurisdiction, engaging in unprofessional behavior, and unlawfully converting a civil dispute into a criminal case. It cites infringements of several legal provisions, including Sections 34(1)(a), 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 37 and 32(2) of the Police Act 2020, and Section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Background of the Case
According to the petition, Mr. Raji, who works as a farm manager in Ogbomoso for Alhaja Shukrah Shokoya, was engaged by Miss Nafisat to purchase land and find a caretaker for her cattle. He fulfilled these duties by acquiring land and hiring a Fulani/Bororo herdsman. However, complications arose when the herdsman absconded with the cattle, leading Miss Nafisat to demand compensation through Mr. Raji’s uncompleted building or its sale proceeds.
Unlawful Arrest and Detention
Despite attempts to resolve the matter, Mr. Raji was unexpectedly arrested at Access Bank, Apake, Ogbomoso, on November 14, 2025, by officers claiming to act on a court order. He was detained at Owode Area Command before being transferred to Zone 5, Edo State, where he remains as of November 19, 2025. The petition alleges that Mr. Raji is being pressured to make incriminating statements favoring Miss Nafisat, who reportedly resides in London but is expected to return soon to escalate her demands.
Human Rights and Legal Implications
SPANCI reminds the IGP of previous directives cautioning police officers against infringing on citizens’ rights and intervening in civil disputes, which are outside their mandate. The organization stresses that the police’s role is to address criminal offenses and maintain public order, not to act as debt collectors.
Demand for Accountability and Fair Treatment
The petition concludes with a strong appeal for a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of the officers involved, urging that anyone found culpable be held accountable under the law. It also calls for the immediate release of Mr. Raji, who has endured several days of unlawful detention, underscoring the need for justice to be both done and visibly upheld.
