Human rights lawyer Tope Temokun has petitioned the Chief Judge of Ondo State over what he described as troubling delays in the assignment of hearing dates for three fundamental rights enforcement suits filed on behalf of his clients—officers of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun—who say they were unlawfully declared wanted by the agency’s commander.

In a petition dated December 5, 2025, Temokun noted that the cases, all filed on November 11, 2025, remain unlisted for hearing despite the inclusion of affidavits of urgency in each suit.

The three cases are:

• Abu Taiwo v. Chief Adetunji Adeleye & Ondo State Security Network Agency (HCAK/478/CIV/2025)
• Akinsipe Victor v. Chief Adetunji Adeleye & Ondo State Security Network Agency (HCAK/475/CIV/2025)
• Ekujimi Julius v. Chief Adetunji Adeleye & Ondo State Security Network Agency (HCAK/479/CIV/2025)

According to the petition, the applicants—serving Amotekun officers—were declared wanted shortly after requesting their appointment letters and other employment entitlements. Temokun said the officers have since gone into hiding, fearing for their safety.

Citing the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules (FREP), particularly the Preamble and Order IV Rule 1, the lawyer argued that fundamental rights matters must be treated with urgency to prevent the objectives of judicial protection from being undermined by delay.

He wrote:

“These actions were commenced under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules… Affidavits of urgency were duly filed in all three suits, each demonstrating the continuing and immediate harm alleged by the Applicants… We humbly appeal for the kind intervention of the Honourable Chief Judge in ensuring that the matters are promptly assigned hearing dates.”

Temokun added that prompt judicial action would align with both the spirit of the FREP Rules and the broader principles of fair and timely justice.

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Background: Protests and Escalating Tension in Ondo

Weeks earlier, residents of Akure held a peaceful protest led by former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding justice for the affected Amotekun officers. Demonstrators called for:

• Immediate reinstatement of the suspended officers
• Reversal of their alleged wrongful declaration as wanted
• Full documentation and issuance of appointment letters to all Amotekun personnel

Sowore stated:

“We therefore call for the immediate lifting of the suspension of the three courageous officers; and the reversal of their wrongful declaration as wanted persons.”

In a related development, SaharaReporters reported that the wife of one of the officers, Abu Taiwo—who has not been seen since fleeing an alleged night raid by gunmen said to have been sent by the Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye—staged a solo protest demanding his release and safety. The gunmen reportedly fired multiple shots during the raid, forcing Taiwo to flee into hiding.

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‘From Intimidation to Attempted Elimination’ — Lawyer Alleges

Temokun previously stated that the situation within the Ondo Amotekun Corps has escalated beyond intimidation, claiming that three officers—Akinsipe Victor Temitope, Ekujumi Julius, and Abu Taiwo—are being hunted by gunmen allegedly acting on behalf of Commander Adeleye.

He said the officers are now in hiding as the threat to their lives and liberties continues to grow.