Activist Deji Adeyanju released from prison | Nairalaw

Seventy-eight days after he was controversially arrested by the
police, Deji Adeyanju has been released from custody.

Mr Adeyanju told Our reporter he was freed from Kano Central
Prison on Friday afternoon. The freedom comes nearly two weeks the
Kano State High Court granted the activist a bail.

Mr Adeyanju said he was on his way to Lagos, from where he would
later travel to Abuja where he has lived and worked for over a
decade.

Mr Adeyanju’s arrest on December 13 on allegations of murder has
drawn nationwide attention.

The arrest itself came after the activist had spent a week in
prison between late November and early December 2018. He was
leading a protest against alleged police bias ahead of the general
elections when he was arrested and accused of defamation against
senior security chiefs.

The police did not file substantive charges of murder against Mr
Adeyanju. The December 13 arrest was linked to a homicide case that
was concluded in 2009.

Although Mr Adeyanju was named in the murder trial, he was
discharged and acquitted after four years of prosecution in 2009.
He was remanded in custody while the trial lasted.

The police said the matter was not wholesomely concluded,
suggesting that Mr Adeyanju might have jumped bail. Still, they did
not immediately charge the activist for murder, initially keeping
him for days without trial, in contravention of the Nigerian law
that prohibits detention of a suspect beyond 48 hours without
charges.

After several weeks in detention, Mr Adeyanju was granted a bail
on February 18 by the Kano State High Court. But his friends raised
an alarm a few days later, accusing court officials of frustrating
his release as part of a plot to keep him away from participating
in the election.

Legal analysts argued Mr Adeyanju could be a victim of double
jeopardy, a constitutional principle that forbids multiple trial of
a citizen for a single offense.

Mr Adeyanju, a critic of the Buhari administration, said his
arrest was unjustified, politically motivated and an attempt to
keep him away from the public beyond the presidential election.

The election held on February 23 and President Muhammadu Buhari
was declared winner for a second term.

The Mastermind of Attack on DCP Kola Okunola Nabbed in
Abuja 

The Police have arrested Hon. Sunny Adi, the mastermind and
ringleader of the irresponsible, unprovoked and unwarranted attack
on a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Kola Okunola in Twon,
Brass, Bayelsa State, on Sunday, 24th February, 2019. Two other
persons arrested in connection with the incident are  (i)
Tamarapreye Victor, ‘m’ 34yrs and Azi Newton ‘m’ 34yrs.

Hon. Sunny Adi, a candidate of one of the major political
parties in the House of Representatives Elections in Brass
Constituency, Bayelsa State, was arrested in his hideout somewhere
in Abuja this morning, 1st March, 2019 in a well-coordinated covert
operation. His arrest is in line with the directive of the
Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni for the
immediate arrest, comprehensive investigation and diligent
prosecution of all persons involved in the Sunday, 24th February,
2019 attack on the DCP in Twon, Brass, Bayelsa State.

It would be recalled that while leading the team providing
protection for INEC officials, voters and materials, DCP Kola
Okunola was brutally attacked and molested by thugs led by Hon.
Sunny Adi.

Meanwhile, effort is ongoing by the Police to apprehend other
members of the gang involved in the unwholesome attack on the
officer.

As we go into the Governorship/House of Assembly Elections
slated for Saturday, 9th March, 2019, the IGP reiterates his
earlier warning that the Nigeria Police Force under his watch will
not condone any act of assault against any member of the Public,
including the personnel of the Force legitimately assigned to
protect the sanctity of the ballot.

ACP FRANK MBA

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS

ABUJA