High Chief Owolabi Aworeni, the Araba Agbaye of the International Council For Ifa Religion, has accused Kwara State Police Commissioner, Ebunoluwa Rotimi Adelesi, of conniving with some Muslim clerics to arrest Isese activist, Adegbola Abdulazeez, popularly known as Talolorun.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Aworeni claimed that the state Attorney General’s office was not briefed about Talolorun’s arrest, adding that the activist had been a target of Muslim clerics for a while.
Talolorun, an Isese practitioner, was arrested on August 16 and arraigned on August 17, before an Ilorin magistrate court, for allegedly insulting the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Muslim leaders, among other offences.
The Isese activist has since been remanded in a correctional facility until October 5.
Commenting on Talolorun’s arrest, Aworeni said, “The state attorney general’s office was not aware of his arrest, the arrest was planned between the CP of Kwara State and some Alfas.
“They have been targeting him for a very long time because he is very much outspoken about Isese, he was accused of Insulting an Imam, which there is no concrete evidence that he did.
“Isese is a religion of peace and all we do is mind our business and pray for the good of the land. Rarely would you find us disturbing other religions not even in cases that we are attacked first, as we believe in forgiveness and peace.”
Asked if the Isese community was working towards securing Talolorun’s release, Aworeni responded saying, “Yes, we have hired good lawyers and SANs. He will be released soon by the Grace of Olodumare.”
The Araba Agbaye also touched on safety measures taken to protect Isese devotees who reside in predominately Muslim states, during Isese Day celebrations.
In his words, “The government is also trying its best to provide us with good security, most especially in the Muslim states.
“We do not plan to be violent so we do not expect violence from anyone or religion. Nonetheless, Olodumare will not forsake us at a time like this.
“We believe he’ll continue to guide and protect us. Olodumare will lead us right. Ase.”
Responding to the allegation, the Kwara State’s Commissioner of Police Rotimi Adelesi, who spoke through the Public Relations Officer Okesanmi Ajayi Kwara, said, “I can tell you confidently that the police was issued a warrant by a competent court of jurisdiction directing the police to arrest that person (Talolorun).
“What the police did was to follow the order of the court. The boy was arrested and handed over to the court. His arrest, was based on his ‘direct criminal case,’ and the case is already in court, anyway.
“The CP can never connive with any alfa. The CP is in charge of the peace and tranquility of Kwara citizens.”
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