Osun High Court Bars Police From Arresting, Harassing Senator Oyewumi

The Osun State High Court sitting in Ikire has restrained the Nigeria Police Force from further arresting, harassing, detaining, inviting or threatening the Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Senator Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi, declaring such actions unlawful and unconstitutional.

The judgment, delivered by Justice J. O. Owolawi on June 23, 2026, followed a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked HRE/M.15/2026, filed by the senator through his counsel, I. T. Tewogbade.

According to a statement issued by the Media Unit of the Office of the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, the court held that the alleged repeated threats of arrest, intimidation and police invitations violated Senator Oyewumi’s fundamental rights as guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The senator’s legal team argued that political opponents had allegedly used the police to intimidate, harass and frustrate his political activities in Osun State.

Justice Owolawi noted that despite being served with the court processes and hearing notices, the respondents, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State and the Nigeria Police Force, did not file any counter-affidavit to challenge the allegations.

The court ruled that the facts presented by the applicant remained uncontroverted and were therefore deemed admitted in law.

Consequently, the court declared that the alleged intimidation, repeated invitations and threats of arrest against the senator were wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional.

Justice Owolawi also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force, its officers, agents and privies from arresting, harassing, detaining, inviting or in any way restricting the personal liberty and freedom of movement of Senator Oyewumi.