An 85-year-old man, Abubakar Aliyu, was allegedly arrested and detained by Mr Adesoye Ezekiel, prompting a petition from Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Godwin Ogboji. Ogboji has called on Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to investigate the incident, describing the actions as unlawful and illegal. The petition, addressed directly to the IGP, accuses Ezekiel of detaining Aliyu without legal justification. No official response from the police headquarters has been made public since the petition surfaced. The circumstances surrounding the arrest, including location and duration of detention, remain unspecified in the available details. Ogboji emphasized the need for accountability, particularly given Aliyu's age and vulnerability.
A senior lawyer is now stepping in because a private citizen allegedly detained an octogenarian without police intervention. When individuals like Adesoye Ezekiel act as though they have arrest powers, it exposes how thin the line is between citizen action and vigilantism. If the IGP does not respond, it signals that such overreach may go unchecked, even when involving an 85-year-old man. This case is not about one arrest—it reveals how easily basic rights can be trampled in the absence of clear enforcement boundaries.
