Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, has been accused of illegally detaining her half brother, Olupelumi Fagboyegun, for three years.
In a video going viral on social media, Fagboyegun accused the chief judge of instigating his arrest and charging him for forcefully entering his father’s house. He also said he had been arraigned five times while the charges had also been amended five times all in a bid to delay his trial.
Fagboyegun took to social media to seek the assistance of meaningful Nigerians to come to his aid.
“I am calling on you to rescue me from the Ondo State judiciary which is being run as a family affair, that if you don’t know anybody, you cannot get justice. I have been living abroad for over 30 years,” he said.
“I came for holiday in Nigeria and to my father’s house. I share the same father with the Chief Justice of Ondo State. I was arrested at my father’s place, was locked up and charged with forceful entry into my father’s house.
“Even if I was convicted of this crime, it only carries a one-year prison penalty. But I have been on open remand for the past three years. The case has been on for three years because the Chief judge of Ondo State influenced the judicial system and I have been unable to get justice.
“They have changed judges five times and have arraigned me five times. They have changed their charges five times and up till today, February 15, 2021, the case is still pending. Please come and rescue me.”
The accused chief judge could not be reached for comments but the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said via his verified Twitter page: “I have instructed my AG to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and transparent.”
I have instructed my AG to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and transparent. https://t.co/XvwZ9pqFgi pic.twitter.com/Vu1zKQ7Ceg
— Arakunrin Akeredolu (@RotimiAkeredolu) February 16, 2021
Subscribe
Be the first to receive special investigative reports and features in your inbox.