The Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI) has appealed to the commissioner of police in Oyo State, Adebola Hamzat, to ensure the release of Mrs. Aderoju Folake Fatoba, who was detained by men of the Apata police division in Ibadan. The group described her detention as unlawful, dehumanizing, and a violation of her rights to fair hearing, personal liberty, and freedom of movement.
In a letter addressed to the CP and signed by its president, Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, SPANCI stated that Mrs. Fatoba legally married Mr. Tope Fatoba before his death, and their marriage did not produce any children, leading to resentment from Mr. Gbenga Fatoba and other members of the Fatoba family. Despite instructions from the family to end the marriage, Mr. Fatoba refused.
Tragically, Mr. Fatoba was found dead inside their apartment when Mrs. Fatoba returned home on Monday, 6th May 2024. The police, after thorough investigation, did not implicate her in his death. However, Mrs. Fatoba was detained on Wednesday, 22nd May 2024, on the instructions of Mr. Gbenga Fatoba, who is the deceased’s uncle.
SPANCI condemned the police's actions, stating that it is wrong to detain Mrs. Fatoba and prosecute her for murder based on the family's accusations. The group demanded her immediate release and justice against what they described as an act of wickedness and injustice. They highlighted that Mrs. Fatoba is already suffering from mental and psychological torture due to her husband's death and the false allegations against her.
