A group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have demanded for the immediate release of Ayotunde Richard, by Nigeria Police, saying it was an act of illegalities that undermines the integrity of the Judiciary.
Richard is a gospel singer and former member of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) was allegedly detained by police.
He was reportedly arrested over a petition from Davidson Adejuwon, who is a lawyer and an aide to the church founder, Dr Daniel Olukoya.
The lawyer alleged that Richard and others engaged in sundry acts of cyberbullying and libelling Olukoya.
Davidson filed the petition as counsel for one Mrs Sanni, an aide, who is saddled with the cleric’s social media concerns.
However, in a judgment delivered recently, Justice D.T. Olatokun of the High Court in Ikeja, Lagos State, ordered the immediate release of Richard.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the Good Governance and Accountability and Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress in Lagos on Saturday, Barr Adesina Ogunlana lamented the non-release of Richard by the Police despite the court’s directive.
Barr. Adesina has therefore called on Nigerians to join them in demanding for Richard’s freedom and to rise in the defence of the integrity of the judicial system.
In February 2024, Richard, it would be recalled, filed a Fundamental Human Rights suit against Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, Davidson Adejuwon, Superintendent of Police, Ayoleyi Ajayi and the Nigerian Police Force.
The first hearing of the matter came up on the 6th of March 2024.
Two days before, on March 4, 2024 to be precise, it was alleged that Officers of the 4th Respondent drawn from the Special Squad 2 of the Commissioner of Police Lagos State invaded Richard’s house illegally with the intent to arrest him.
