A traditional ruler in the Ipaja area of Lagos State, Chief Moruf Owonla, has cried out over his alleged illegal arrest and detention by the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Offences.

Owonla, who is the Baale of Candos community in the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area of Alimosho said men of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Offences stormed his property in the Ajao Estate on Friday, March 18, 2022, and destroyed his property.

According to Owonla, the taskforce operatives claimed they were acting on the instructions from the Ministry of Physical Planning, also brutalised him and his employees after destroying his property and filling station.

He said that he has since been detained at the Taskforce’s office in Oshodi without any prosecution more than 24 hours after his alleged unlawful arrest.

“The operation was like a commando operation. They invaded my property and destroyed it; there was no notice served on us that we had contravened any law, yet, they beat up and manhandled my staff.

“They took me to their office at Oshodi where I ma still being detained unjustly. I learnt that I am being treated this way because I took up legal steps against the authorities for their complicity in the invasion of my property at Etegbin village in Ojo Local Government.’’

The Chairman of the Taskforce, Mr Shola Jejeloye, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent explained that “since the arrest took place on Friday, there was no way procedure for his arraignment can be perfected, hence, he is being detained at our facility.

“The law stipulates 24 hours to hold suspects but the said 24 hours, in this case, has extended to the weekend, and the processing for the arraignment could not be finished for him to appear in court.” (Vanguard)

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