Omoyele Sowore demanded the immediate release of Adegbola AbdulAzeez, Talolorun today, stating that it was evident that the police apprehended him without any prior investigation
Human rights advocate, Omoyele Sowore, revealed on Saturday that he had obtained a copy of the alleged unfounded criminal charge sheet that led to the unjust detention of Abdulazeez Tani Olohun.
Adegbola Abdulazeez, a well-known Kwara traditional worshipper and activist, who goes by the name Talolorun (meaning “Who is God”), has been detained by a magistrate court in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.
He’s facing accusations of orchestrating a potential conflict in the city by encouraging other traditional and idol worshippers to gather in Ilorin on August 20, 2023, among other charges.
Sowore claimed it was apparent that Talolorun was being targeted due to his outspokenness against certain individuals in Ilorin.
Using his X handle (formerly Twitter) and the hashtag #FreeTaniOlorun Now, Sowore called for immediate release, asserting that the police had not conducted any proper investigation before arresting Talolorun.
However, Sowore criticized the Nigeria Police Force for their unprofessional conduct and urged them to drop the charges against the activist, emphasizing that these were merely civil complaints. He used the hashtags #FreeTaniolohun NOW! and #RevolutionNow.
The charges outlined in the document include criminal conspiracy, contempt of religious creed, criminal defamation, and inciting disturbance, according to the Penal Code Law’s Sections 97, 210, 392, and 114.
According to the charge sheet, the case was reported to the Kwara State police commissioner through a letter of petition from the Association of Proud Sons and Daughters of Ilorin Emirate.
The petition alleged that Talolorun had engaged in blasphemous acts against Islam and defamed certain Islamic scholars, along with inciting a potential war by inviting traditional and idol worshippers to gather in Ilorin.
In a YouTube video, Talolorun expressed his frustration over the denial of the right to worship for Isese devotees and the alleged collusion between certain religious leaders and the police to prevent the festival from taking place.
He questioned why other religious festivals didn’t require permission and called for equal rights in celebrating their faith.
The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) suspended the planned Isese festival in Ilorin after the police prohibited it due to security reasons, according to a statement by the council’s president.
These events have raised concerns about religious freedom and discrimination in the region, leading to legal actions seeking to ensure the rights of traditional worshippers.
