By Anan Geolengs
A former Caretaker Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Osun, Mr Babajide Jooda, has filed N500 million suit against the Inspector-General of Police and a former Force Public Relations Officer over alleged unlawful declaration of him as wanted.
Jooda filed the fundamental human rights suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Other respondents listed in the suit are former Force Spokesman, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin and Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Mr Tunji Disu.
Also joined are the Attorney-General of the Federation, Police Service Commission, Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Abuja, former Chief Magistrate, Karu, Ahmed Ndajiwo, Registrar, Chief Magistrate Court, Karu, Muktar Yusuf, Abass Oladipupo and 11 police officers.
The applicant contended that the arrest warrant and advertorials signed by Hundeyin and published in major national newspapers in February 2026 declaring him wanted for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide were illegal.
He alleged that the court order which purportedly authorised the publications was forged.
Jooda said he was arrested alongside some suspects over alleged murder of reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr Remi Abass, and was subsequently released by police.
He said police had on three occasions filed separate criminal charges against him which were later withdrawn.
The ex-council boss said his name was struck out of the charges and he was released from custody, adding that criminal charges previously filed against him at Magistrate Court in Osun were also abandoned by police prosecutors.
He said in charge number MOS/150/2025 dated March 11, 2025, at Osun Magistrate Court, he was listed as first defendant alongside Yekini Wahab, 26, Wakili Yakubu, 23, Ganiyu Habeeb, 32, Owoade Nureni, 62, and Abayomi Olanrewaju, 38.
Jooda, however, said in another criminal case number FHC/ABJ/CR/170/2025 dated Oct. 15, 2025, filed by prosecutor, Mr A.S. Oyeyemi, on behalf of I-G, his name was not listed.
He said defendants in the charge were Abubakar Kabiru, alias Jeje, Tajudeen Opeyemi, Akeem Agbomojo and Akintoye Olayemi.
According to certified true copy of Oct. 15, 2025 court proceedings, the prosecutor told the court that there were several amended charges and urged the court to strike them out and replace same with amended charge filed Oct. 14, 2025.
The court granted the application after defence counsel, Mr Sunday Adebayo, raised no objection.
Jooda said he was shocked that police declared him wanted after withdrawing multiple charges against him, alleging that it was politically motivated.
In the motion on notice, the applicant is seeking N250 million general damages and N250 million exemplary damages.
He said in supporting affidavits that he was oppressed, embarrassed, intimidated and dehumanised.
Jooda had earlier petitioned the Minister of Police Affairs over the wanted advertorials, accusing police authorities of maligning his character with defamatory publications.
In the petition written by his lawyer, Mr Chiemeka Okereke, he demanded public apology to be published within seven days and N50 million compensation.
“It is our brief that sometimes on Feb. 26, 2025, you went to one Chief Magistrate in FCT and obtained a warrant of arrest for an offence allegedly committed in Ikire township, Osun, to arrest our client.
“The said warrant of arrest turned out to be forged and fake. Furthermore, you proceeded with the forged/fake document and published in your Special Police Gazette Bulletin,” the petition read.
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