The suspicious death of 35-year-old farmer , Olatunji Jimoh while in police custody has ignited public outrage, with a civil rights group demanding accountability and a thorough investigation.
Olatunji, who was reportedly detained over a debt dispute, was declared dead on December 20, 2024, under questionable circumstances at the police headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State.
This was disclosed in a press conference on Wednesday in Ilorin by Owolabi Olumuyiwa Tayo, the convener of a civil rights group, condemned the incident and called on the government to ensure justice is served.
Late Olatunji, described as the breadwinner of his family, reportedly died under suspicious circumstances at the police headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Speaking further, Owolabi Tayo said According to reports, Olatunji was lured out of his home in the Balogun Fulani area around 5:00 PM on December 19 by a friend, Mr. Jelili Kehinde. While on a motorcycle together, officers from the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) apprehended Olatunji and transported him to the police station.
Family sources revealed that Olatunji contacted them later that evening, informing them about his detention, allegedly due to a debt of ₦220,000 owed to his superior, Mr. Gabriel Sunday, at Olam Offa. The family promptly raised part of the money, but despite paying the amount, officers reportedly refused to release him, instructing the family to return the next morning.
He stressed that the family’s ordeal worsened when they received a call between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM from the police, urging them to visit the station. However, they were denied entry until the following morning, when they were informed that Olatunji had “hanged himself” in the cell.
The mother of the deceased, Mrs. Jimoh, demanded to see the cell. Observations raised questions about the police’s claim, as the cell was less than six feet tall, while Olatunji was taller. Police alleged that he knelt to hang himself, a narrative the family rejected.
Adding to their grief, the family discovered Olatunji’s body had been moved to the mortuary without their consent. At the mortuary, they found his lap dissected and wounds on his body, further fueling suspicions of foul play.
Owolabi demanded accountability from the officers involved, compensation for the deceased’s children and aged parents, and reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
Olatunji Jimoh’s lawyer, Olukayode Oloyede, confirmed that the case is now in federal high court, assuring the family and the public of his commitment to securing justice.
Comrade Taiye Erubu, President of the Erubu Asunara Development Association, lauded the efforts to seek justice, urging concerned parties to escalate the case to higher authorities.
Olatunji’s mother, Mrs. Jimoh, appealed to Nigerians and the government for support, emphasizing the need to care for the children her son left behind.
