A former Caretaker Local Government Chairman of Irewole Council, Osun State, Babajide Jooda, has slammed a N500 million suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and a former Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, for declaring him wanted.

In a fundamental human rights suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the applicant also listed as respondents the Attorney-General of the Federation; the Police Service Commission; the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command; the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Abuja; former Chief Magistrate, Karu, Ahmed Ndajiwo; the Registrar, Chief Magistrate Court, Karu, Muktar Yusuf; Abass Oladipupo and 11 police officers.

Jooda contended that the arrest warrant and the advertorials signed by Hundeyin and published in major national newspapers declaring him wanted in February 2026 for terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide were illegal.

Jooda was arrested alongside some suspects over the alleged murder of the reinstated chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr Remi Abass, and subsequently released by the police.

The politician explained that the police had on three occasions filed separate criminal charges against him, which were later withdrawn.

The ex-council boss stated that his name was struck out of the charges and he was released from custody, adding that the criminal charges previously filed against him at a Magistrate Court in Osun State were equally abandoned by the police prosecutors.

In the case filed at an Osun Magistrate Court with charge no: MOS/150/2025, dated March 11, 2025, Jooda was listed as the first defendant alongside Yekini Wahab, 26; Wakili Yakubu, 23; Ganiyu Habeeb, 32; Owoade Nureni, 62; and Abayomi Olanrewaju, 38.

However, in another criminal case at the Federal High Court with number: FHC/ABJ/CR/170/2025, dated October 15, 2025, filed by the prosecutor, A.S. Oyeyemi, on behalf of the IG, Jooda’s name was not listed. The defendants were Abubakar Kabiru, aka Jeje; Tajudeen Opeyemi; Akeem Agbomojo and Akintoye Olayemi.

According to a certified true copy of the October 15, 2025 court proceedings, the prosecutor, Oyeyemi, told the judge, “We have a charge dated 8th May, 2025. We have an amended charge dated 21st May, 2025 and another amended charge filed 22nd May, 2025 and the last amended charge was filed 21st July, 2025. We urge the court to strike out the above processes and replace the same with the amended charge filed 14th October, 2025.”

The court granted the application after the defence counsel, Sunday Adebayo, did not object.

Jooda expressed shock that the police declared him wanted after withdrawing the multiple charges against him, alleging that it was politically motivated.

The motion on notice filed in the human rights suit read, “The applicant claimed general damages of N250m in addition to exemplary damages of N250m. The applicant deposed in the supporting affidavits to how he was oppressed, embarrassed, intimidated and dehumanised.”

Jooda had earlier petitioned the Minister of Police Affairs about the wanted advertorials, accusing the police authorities of maligning his character with the defamatory publications.

In the petition written by a lawyer, Chiemeka Okereke, he demanded a public apology to be published within seven days and N50m compensation. (NAN/Daily Trust)