Court Rejects Ajulo’s Request To Remand Ondo Youth Activists Who Challenged Him
A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State has thrown out a controversial remand application filed by the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kayode Ajulo, against three youth activists.
The trio — Adediran Gabriel, Yaya Bisola, and Akeju Blessing James — all executive members of the Akoko Youth Forum, were granted bail on Thursday by the court after days of intense public outcry over what many have described as an abuse of state power.
The remand application, which sought the continued detention of the youths, was dismissed for lacking merit.
A source within the court, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development to SaharaReporters, stating that, “The remand application was dismissed, and the youths were granted bail by the court.”
This ruling comes on the heels of a widespread protest that gripped the state capital less than 24 hours earlier.
Angry residents, student groups, and youth leaders took to the streets in their numbers, demanding the immediate release of the detained activists and calling for Ajulo’s removal from office.
Chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards emblazoned with slogans like #AjuloMustGo, #FreeTheActivists, and #JusticeForAkokoYouths, the protesters condemned what they termed “targeted intimidation” and “executive bullying.”
“The Attorney-General has betrayed the trust of Ondo youths. He must resign,” one protester shouted as others joined in the chorus of disapproval that echoed through the streets of Akure.
The furore stems from a heated encounter on 28th March at the Justice Ministry, where the three youth leaders reportedly had a verbal altercation with Barr. Ajulo.
Witnesses alleged the youths were harassed and subsequently picked up by a combined team of police officers and DSS operatives.
Although briefly released following initial backlash, the activists were again dragged before the court under what the Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN) has labelled “baseless, defective and politically-motivated charges.”
Reacting to the court’s ruling, OSYN’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Christopher Olusa, said, “This is not justice. This is naked persecution. These youths committed no offence other than having the courage to confront a public official misusing his office.”
He added, “If the plan was to send them to Olokuta to silence them, then this judgement is a victory for all freedom-loving people in Ondo State. We warned that any move in that direction would be met with fierce, lawful resistance.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
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