The Ogun State Police Command has denied the allegation that a suspected cultist, Seyi Oduyiga, died in its custody as a result of torture.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, said in a statement that the suspect who was arrested in Sagamu, in connection with the unrest in the town as a cultist clash died at the General Hospital, Ijaye while receiving treatment.
Odutola explained that Oduyiga, in a confessional statement, confessed to being a member of Buccaneer and was arrested alongside Gbenga Adejoke, a member of the Eiye confraternity
Speaking on the circumstances surrounding his death, the PPRO said the deceased was not tortured, as was speculated in some online media.
She said the late Oduyiga had been charged in court for cult-related activities and was in court on Thursday, November 23, where he was arraigned before a special court, but the court did not sit.
Odutola said the deceased went beserk on Friday, shouting, biting, and assaulting other suspects in the cell until he got exhausted.
She said, “The Ogun State Police Command vehemently refutes that the deceased was tortured to death, as it is being speculated in some online media.
“Ogun Police Command holds a strong commitment to upholding fundamental human rights laws, particularly when it comes to the treatment of suspects.
“Torture is strictly against our protocols and principles.
“Ogun State Police Command is well versed in the legal framework that safeguards the rights of individuals in custody, free from all forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
“For the records, the deceased was already charged with cult-related activities, and he was taken to court on Thursday, November 23, 2023, where he was to be arraigned before a special court on the cultism case in Isabo, Abeokuta, but the honourable court did not sit, and he was brought back to Eleweran in Abeokuta the same Thursday.
“Seyi was to be taken back to the court on the next available day that the court will sit, which is on Friday, November 24, 2023.
However, on Friday, November 24th, at about 0500 hours, Seyi went berserk, shouting, biting with teeth, and assaulting other suspects in the cell until he got exhausted.
“Other suspects in the cell alerted policemen on duty.
“He was taken to the police hospital and later to Ijaye General Hospital in Abeokuta, where, along with other suspects, he gave bites in the cell for medical treatment against infection.
“Other suspects were treated and discharged, but Seyi, while on medical attention, later gave up the ghost.
“Every other allegation is hereby debunked, as the accurate position is what has been stated above.
“As soon as the autopsy report about the deceased is out, the police will give further details.
“However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, commiserates with the deceased family.”
