Youths in Ondo State, on Wednesday, stormed the streets of Akure, the state capital, protesting the alleged unjust remand of their members over a disagreement with the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo.
The protest, led by the former Student Union President (SUG) of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, James Akeju, who is also the President of the Akoko Youth Forum (AYF), barricaded the roads leading to the state secretariat, Alagbaka, and Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro roads, demanding for the immediate release of their members.
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Armed with placards of various inscriptions, the protesting youths blocked the major roads, hindering vehicular movement for several hours.
According to the protesters, the affected youths were remanded into prison custody after a court sitting in Akure, on Tuesday, following alleged political victimisation on the part of Ajulo.
The protesters described the action of the Attorney General as gross abuse of power and a deliberate move to intimidate and silence the youths in the state, saying the three remanded youths were unjustly targeted after a face-off with the Attorney General on March 28, 2025.
All attempts by the State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, fell on the deaf ears of the youths who vowed not to vacate the streets until the incarcerated youths are released and meet them at the protest ground.
The Coordinator of the Ondo State Youth Network, Adegboyega Afe, while speaking with journalists, expressed dismay over the alleged action of Ajulo, noting that the affected youths were arraigned on frivolous charges of cyberbullying, among others.
According to Afe, the remanded youths were unaware of their arraignment, lamenting that Ajulo, who used to portray himself as an activist,t has turned to oppressing his own people.
He said, “Leaders of Akoko youths who had issues with Ajulo were remanded to Olokuta Prison. We followed the process; it was very unlawful.
“They were not aware they were being charged in court. They were slammed with a four-count charge and remanded to Olokuta Correctional Centre. We are out against this oppressor.
“This is not the first AG. President Tinubu did not do anything to Ajulo during the presidential election. We have a lot of insecurity issues in the state. We will continue the protest until the Akoko leaders are released. Let us not cause another insecurity through the act of the Attorney-General.
“It was the DSS that invited us, and we went there. The police invited us, and those that went were remanded to prison custody. They charged them for cyberbullying and a threat to life. Aiyedatiwa should talk to Ajulo. He should release those in detention. We will remain here.”
Also speaking, the National Social Director of Akoko Youth Forum, Oladimeji Adewunmi, appealed to the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to call Ajulo to order, stressing that they will not be cowed.
He said, “Cyberbullying is a serious offence involving threats and online harassment—none of which occurred. Our only offence was visiting a public office to deliver an invitation for a community empowerment event.
“We are now demanding the immediate release of Akeju and the two other detained executives. We will not leave this protest site until justice is served.
“We are ready to remain here—eating, sleeping, and standing firm—until our brothers and sisters are freed. We understand that there may be plans for mediation, but before any negotiation can begin, our people must be released.
“Let us not forget that the office is a public institution, not personal property. Our Youth President, Mr Akeju, was elected by the people of Akoko and remains the rightful voice of the youth. Silencing that voice is an affront to all of us.”
Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser to the Attorney General, Yomisaint Adebayo, said the youths were arraigned following a police investigation into incidents that involved assault, conspiracy, actions aimed at breaching public peace, cybercrime, threats to life, and other related offences that occurred at the state secretariat.
He said, “In response to the developments, the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who was out of the State, has returned to Akure and directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to formally take over the matter.
“The aim is to ensure a swift resolution while upholding due process, safeguarding the rights of all parties involved, and potentially including their release.
“We encourage the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to unfold, as we consider steps to resolve this matter in a manner that promotes peace, respect for the law, and mutual understanding.”
However, the State Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, called for dialogue to address the difference between the youths and Ajulo, rather than embarking on protest.
Ayanlade stated that “the Command recognises and affirms the constitutional right of every citizen to freedom of expression, including peaceful protest.
“It is important to emphasise that the current security situation in the state is the result of deliberate and sustained efforts by the Police and other security stakeholders.
“These gains, however, remain sensitive and require continued vigilance and cooperation to be fully consolidated.
“Given this context, any form of protest or public gathering at this time poses a significant risk of being hijacked by criminal elements, which could reverse the progress made and disrupt public peace.
“The Command will therefore not tolerate any protest or activity capable of jeopardizing the hard-won stability.
“We urge any group or individuals wishing to express political opinions or grievances to adopt lawful and constructive channels such as dialogue and engagement with the appropriate authorities.”
Meanwhile, an Akure-based lawyer, Tope Temokun, in an open letter to the Attorney General, Ajulo, advised him to engage in serious state business rather than petty issues of no significance to the people of the state.
Temokun in his letter, stated that, “Ondo State today is sinking deeper into a state of serious insecurity; a matter of this description, which some have called a family feud and others a fight between brothers, is not something we should be discussing at a state level.
“Personally, I have bothered less about this matter since it hit the news, and I see this time as a moment of sober reflection for all of us in the state, given the numerous killings over running the state capital and the surrounding settlements.
“As the Chief legal officer of the state, it is essential that you exercise extreme caution in using this law, particularly in cases where it may be wielded based on personal disagreements. Your office demands more, sir.
“The Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) (AMENDMENT) Act is the power bank of the oppressor’s tool, deployed at the slightest annoyance to frighten and silence dissenting voices and poor critics.
“If that law were the only one left in the statute book, you, with your antecedents and pre-appointment dossier, weighed as recently as yesterday, should have nothing to do with that law in this personal case involving your Akoko brothers.
“There is no amount of abuse your brothers from Akoko can hurl at you that should affect you to the extent that your immediate reaction is to consider the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) (AMENDMENT) Act to do what? To send them to jail?
“In personal matters and community affairs, your good deeds in office should ordinarily be your defense tools and safeguards, sir. Resorting to seeking refuge in a notoriously misused and abused law like the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention,) (Amendment) Act, 2024, is not a sign that you are on the right track.
“Not this time, when the insecurity that once existed in the forests of the state has now come to town and is not just entering the township but is overrunning the state capital and the entire state.
“The kidnappings and killings hitting the state capital in broad daylight today have never happened before. It has never been this bad.
“In matters of insecurity in the state, after the governor and the deputy governor, the Attorney-General is the next public office holder the citizens should politically look up to for answers.
“In the face of these not-too-good times, how do you, as a priority, view this fight as a worthy cause?
“In resolving conflicts that may, at best, have their roots in conflicting community alliances, adversarial political allegiances, mistrust, and personal grievances, is this in your best interest, sir?
“As the chief legal officer of the state, your position carries significant weight and responsibility. The public’s trust in your office and your struggle not to lose that trust must dominate your mind at this time more than personal victory, particularly over people the public calls your family or your brothers.
“History is not anyone’s friend; it keeps failings in public office more than it keeps triumphs. I do not disagree that the law is the tool to resort to in seeking justice when one is aggrieved. The question to ask now is, what is your desired end of the Akoko youths’ trial?
“Your position demands more reflection on this matter in the face of serious temptations because your actions and inactions are now the subject of public trial.”
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