Ondo denies victimisation as students protest colleagues’ remand

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Ondo, Mr Kayode Ajulo (SAN) has denied being behind the victimisation and continued remand of some youths in the state.

Hundreds of students in Ondo State had, on Wednesday, staged a protest in Akure, the state capital, against the incarceration of some of their colleagues.

The protest was said to have happened after a magistrate court sitting in Akure ordered the remand of some students from Akoko Area of the state, following their alleged altercation with the state Attorney General.

Reacting on behalf of Ajulo, Technical Adviser to the Attorney General, Mr Yomisaint Adebayo, said the incarcerated youths were arraigned following a police investigation into incidents that involved assault, conspiracy, actions aimed at breaching public peace, cybercrime, threats to life, and other related offences that occurred at the State Secretariat.

He said, “In response to the developments, the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who was out of the state, has returned to Akure and directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to formally take over the matter.

“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.”

Among those remanded is the President of the Akoko Youth Forum who is a former Student Union President of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, James Akeju.

The protesters, for several hours, shut down and barricaded the roads leading to the state secretariat, Alagbaka, and Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro roads, chanting solidarity songs , with the demand that the Akeju and others who were remanded, should be released with immediate effect.

They brought cooking utensils to the protest ground, insisting that the incarcerated youths must be released before they vacate the protest scene.

Appeals to the students to leave the road by the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, fell on deaf ears as they insisted on the release of the remanded youths.

One of the protesters and Coordinator of the Ondo State Youth Network, Adegboyega Afe, said the incarcerated youths were arraigned before the court on frivolous charges such as threat to life and cyberbullying, among others.

He said, “Leaders of Akoko youths that had issues with Ajulo were remanded in Olokuta Prison. We followed the process; it was very unlawful. They were not aware they were being charged in court. They were slammed with a four-count charge and remanded in Olokuta Correctional Centre. We are out against this oppressor.

“We will continue the protest until the Akoko leaders are released. Let us not cause another insecurity through the act of the attorney general. It was the DSS that invited us, and we went there. The police invited us, and those that went were remanded to prison custody. They charged them with cyberbullying and threat to life. Aiyedatiwa should talk to Ajulo. He should release those in detention. We will remain here.”

Similarly, another protestor and National Social Director of Akoko Youth Forum, Oladimeji Adewunmi, urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to call Ajulo to order, stressing that they will not be cowed.

“Cyberbullying is a serious offence involving threats and online harassment—none of which occurred. Our only offence was visiting a public office to deliver an invitation for a community empowerment event.

“We are now demanding the immediate release of Akeju and the two other detained executives. We will not leave this protest site until justice is served. We are ready to remain here—eating, sleeping, and standing firm—until our brothers and sisters are freed. We understand that there may be plans for mediation, but before any negotiation can begin, our people must be released.

“Let us not forget that the office is a public institution, not personal property. Our Youth President, Mr Akeju, was elected by the people of Akoko and remains the rightful voice of the youth. Silencing that voice is an affront to all of us.”