Ondo Rejects Victim Claims as Students Protest for Colleagues' Release

Mr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), who serves as the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Ondo State, has refuted allegations claiming he was responsible for the persecution and prolonged detention of several young individuals in the region.

On Wednesday, hundreds of students from Ondo State demonstrated in Akure, the state capital, demanding the release of several detained classmates.

It was reported that the demonstration took place after a magistrate court in Akure directed the detention of several students from the Akoko area of the state, due to an alleged confrontation with the state’s Attorney General.

Representing Ajulo, who serves as Technical Advisor to the Attorney General, Mr Yomisaint Adebayo stated that the detained young individuals faced trial after law enforcement investigated events involving assaults, conspiracies, activities intended to disturb public tranquility, cybercrimes, threats against lives, and similar offenses committed at the State Secretariat.

He stated, "As a result of recent events, the esteemed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, despite being away from the state, has come back to Akure and instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions to officially assume control of the situation."

“The aim is to ensure a swift resolution while upholding due process, safeguarding the rights of all parties involved, and potentially including their release. We encourage the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to unfold, as we consider steps to resolve this matter in a manner that promotes peace, respect for the law, and mutual understanding.”

Included among those held is the leader of the Akoko Youth Forum, James Akeju, who previously served as the Student Union President at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic.

For multiple hours, the demonstrators blocked and fortified the routes heading towards the state secretariat at Alagbaka and the Federal Secretariat via Igbatoro road. They sang solidarity anthems as they demanded the immediate release of Akeju along with others who had been detained.

They carried cooking equipment to the demonstration site, stating firmly that the detained young individuals should be freed before they leave the protest area.

The appeal made by Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, for the students to vacate the road was ignored as they remained steadfast in their demand for the release of the detained young people.

Adegboyega Afe, who coordinates the Ondo State Youth Network and is also one of the protesters, mentioned that the detained young individuals faced baseless accusations including threats to life and online harassment when brought before the judiciary.

He stated, "The young people from Akoko who had conflicts with Ajulo were sent to Olokuta Prison. We monitored the proceedings, which were completely illegal. The individuals involved were unaware that they were appearing before a judge. They faced a four-count indictment and were incarcerated at the Olokuta Correctional Center. We stand opposed to this oppression."

We will keep up our demonstration until the Akoko leaders are freed. Let’s avoid adding more instability due to the actions of the attorney general. It was the DSS who summoned us, and we complied. Later, the police called some individuals, leading to their imprisonment under charges of cyberbullying and threats to life. Aiyedatiwa needs to speak with Ajulo. He must free those being held. We will stay put.

In a similar vein, Oladimeji Adewunmi, who serves as the National Social Director for the Akoko Youth Forum and is also a protester, called upon Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to rein in Ajulo, emphasizing that their resolve would not be shaken.

Cyberbullying is a severe offense that includes threats and online harassment; none of these events took place. The sole action we undertook was going to a public office to hand over an invite for a community empowerment event.

We are currently calling for the swift release of Akeju along with the two other detained executives. This protest location will not be abandoned until justice is achieved. We are prepared to stay here indefinitely—handling all daily needs such as eating and sleeping—to ensure that our brothers and sisters regain their freedom. While we acknowledge potential plans for mediation, negotiations cannot commence unless our people have been set free.

Let’s remember that the position is a public entity, not private property. Our Youth President, Mr. Akeju, was chosen by the residents of Akoko and continues to be the legitimate representative of the young community. Suppressing his voice would be an insult to each one of us.

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