Family demands justice after man dies in Osun police custody
Osun Family Seeks Justice After Man’s Death in Police Custody
The family of Taofeek Azeez, a 40-year-old man, is calling for justice following his death while in police custody in Agbeye, located in the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
Azeez was reportedly arrested on allegations of stealing cocoa seeds. Local vigilantes are said to have apprehended him on Wednesday before handing him over to law enforcement.
According to reports, Azeez was initially taken to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye, where he was subjected to questioning before being transferred to a police outpost for further investigation and detention.
In statements to the media on Friday, Azeez’s brother, Fatai Alimi, urged the Osun State Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death. Alimi shared details about Azeez’s last moments, stating that he had left home for the farm on Tuesday morning, only to be later informed of his arrest related to the alleged theft.
Alimi claimed that Azeez was subjected to corporal punishment at the palace and questioned the police’s assertion that his brother had taken his own life while in custody. He described the situation as suspicious and appealed for intervention from the police and the state government.
“It was surprising to hear that he had killed himself inside the cell; his death looks suspicious,” Alimi said. He noted that Azeez was a father of six children from three wives and that he left behind an aged mother.
Osun State Police Public Relations Officer Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed that Azeez had been apprehended by community members on the allegation of cocoa seed theft. He stated that following the community’s actions, the monarch had instructed the transfer of Azeez to the police for questioning.
“The deceased was apprehended by the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds. The monarch instructed the community members to transfer him to the police outpost, where he was questioned and detained,” Ojelabi explained.
He added that a police officer had discovered Azeez had died a few hours later in the cell. The officer responsible for the cell will be interrogated as the investigation continues. Ojelabi indicated that preliminary findings point to suicide but that the police are taking the necessary steps to ensure a thorough inquiry, including engaging with Azeez’s family.
