Prominent Nigerian blogger, Adabanija, has accused the Nigerian Police of illegal detention and arraignment following his expose on the former governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, and his controversial distribution of palliative rice as birthday souvenirs. Adabanija, in a statement released today, detailed how his efforts to uncover the misuse of public resources were met with unlawful actions by authorities.
The blogger, who has gained attention for his investigative reports, disclosed that Oyetola, now a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s government, was involved in the controversial act of distributing rice purportedly intended for humanitarian aid as personal birthday favors. This move, Adabanija claims, is a clear violation of public trust, given that the rice was meant to assist citizens suffering from economic hardship caused by the country’s ongoing crisis.
Adabanija’s report, which went viral on social media, triggered an immediate backlash against Oyetola. However, instead of responding to the allegations, the police moved swiftly to detain and later arraign the blogger. Adabanija was reportedly apprehended without proper legal justification, detained for several hours, and presented before the court on what he claims were trumped-up charges intended to silence his investigation.
In his statement, Adabanija said: “I was detained and charged simply for doing my job as a journalist and exposing corruption. The actions taken against me by the Nigerian Police are a clear violation of my fundamental rights and an attempt to stifle free speech. My investigation was a public service to expose the truth, not a criminal act.”
“The detention was not only illegal but an affront to democracy and freedom of expression. The Nigerian public has the right to know the truth, and I will continue to expose corruption, no matter the personal cost,” Adabanija declared.
The blogger has also called on human rights organizations and civil society groups to support him in his fight against this abuse of power and to hold the Nigerian Police accountable for their actions. He added that the ongoing attack on independent media and whistleblowers must end for Nigeria’s democracy to thrive.