Akeredolu orders probe as brother accuses state chief judge of illegal detention

Ebun Francis| Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday ordered a probe of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olubunmi Olateru-Olagbegi, over allegation that she detained her half-brother for three years.

The governor ordered the probe in a statement via his Twitter handle, following a video trending on social media platforms by Olupelumi Fagboyegun accusing the chief judge of ordering his arrest and detention for visiting their father’s home.

Akeredolu tweeted, “I have instructed my AG to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair, and transparent.”

Fagboyegun, who called on Nigerians to come to his aid as he could not get justice in Ondo state, said he had been living abroad for over 30 years before he returned to Nigeria in 2018.

According to him, he had been arraigned five times while the charges had also been amended five times all in a bid to delay his trial.

“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, Fagboyegun said in the viral video.

“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.”

Akeredolu on his Twitter handle said, “I have instructed my AG to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair, and transparent.”