High Court Summons: Isese Activists’ Arrest Triggers Legal Action Against IGP, Ilorin Chief Imam, and More

A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued summonses to nine individuals and entities linked to the detention of three followers of the Isese religious practice. The followers, named Adegbola Abdulazeez (also known as Tani Olorun), Efunsetan Abebi Aniwura Olorisha (also known as lya Osun), and Chief Ademola Olawoore (also known as Baba Tede), were arrested and held in a correctional facility in Ilorin, Kwara State. They were accused of disrespecting prominent Muslim clerics in the state.

The summons were directed at a range of parties, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Commissioner of Kwara State, the Kwara State Government, the Registered Trustees of the Council of Ulama (an organization of Islamic clerics), Justice Salihu Mohammed (the Executive Secretary of the Council of Ulama), Sheikh (Dr) Mohammad Bashir Saliu (Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of the Council of Ulama), Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidi, the Kwara State Magistrates Court in Ilorin, and the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The court took this action following a request made by lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje through a motion exparte. In his application, filed under the fundamental rights enforcement suit with number FHC/L/CS/1674/2023, Ogungbeje sought various reliefs and declarations from the court on behalf of his clients.

These requests included:

1. A temporary court order preventing the mentioned parties from arresting, detaining, harassing, or violating the religious freedoms of traditional religion practitioners in relation to the upcoming Isese cultural festival in Ilorin, Kwara State, or any similar cultural events connected to this case. This order would remain in effect until the main case is resolved.
2. An order requiring the Police and the Kwara State Government to provide adequate security for the traditional religion practitioners during the Isese cultural festival.
3. A temporary court order demanding the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ilorin to release Mr. Adegbola Abdulazeez (Tani Olorun) and Madam Efunsetan Abebi Aniwura Olorisha (Iya Osun) from custody until the main case is resolved.
4. Permission for the lawyer to serve legal papers and related documents to specific respondents.
5. Recognition of this service to the mentioned respondents as valid and proper.
6. Approval for the lawyer to serve legal papers to the eighth respondent through the third respondent at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Kwara State Ministry of Justice.
7. Recognition of this service to the eighth respondent as valid and proper.
8. A court order for all parties involved, particularly the eighth respondent, to maintain the status quo and refrain from taking any action against Mr. Adegbola Abdulazeez (Tani Olorun) and Madam Efunsetan Abebi Aniwura Olorisha (Iya Osun) until the main case is resolved.

After hearing the lawyer’s arguments, Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled in favor of granting reliefs four through seven. However, the court requested the presence of all nine respondents in order to provide reasons why reliefs one, two, three, and eight should not be granted. The court set the hearing for September 9th.