Osun Electoral Commission has sued the police over staff detention and office sealing, demanding N2 billion in damages for rights violations
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and its chairman, Mr Hashim Abioye, have taken legal action against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police.
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The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Osogbo under case number FHC/OS/CS/41/2025, challenges the alleged illegal detention of OSSIEC staff and the sealing of its office by the police.
The plaintiffs are requesting a court order to prevent the police from making further arrests and demanding the release of detained employees.
In their originating summons dated 25th February 2025, their legal representative, Maruf Adediran, argued that the actions of the police were unconstitutional and violated fundamental human rights.
According to the lawsuit, the police’s interference disregarded the rights of the commission’s staff, particularly concerning the peaceful and fair local government elections conducted by OSSIEC on 22nd February 2025.
The plaintiffs insist that sealing the commission’s office and issuing threats of arrest are unlawful.
Additionally, the commission is seeking N2 billion in damages for what they describe as a breach of their right to liberty and private life.
They have also urged the court to compel the police to vacate the OSSIEC office immediately and cease any further interference in its operations.
This legal battle emerges amid rising tensions over the recently concluded local government elections in Osun State, where political stakeholders have expressed varying opinions on the electoral process.
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The court’s decision on this matter could have significant implications for the autonomy of electoral bodies and the enforcement of fundamental rights in Nigeria.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
