Rep. Salam condemns Police-backed harassment of Local Government worker in Osun

Rep. Bamidele Salam, representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has strongly condemned the harassment, unlawful detention, and public humiliation of a local government worker in Egbedore Local Government Area.

In a statement, Salam described the role of the Nigeria Police Force in the incident as “shameful, despicable, and a gross violation of the Constitution.” The lawmaker was reacting to a viral video and photographs showing the alleged mistreatment of Mr. Taiwo Adebayo, an administrative staff of the Egbedore Local Government.

According to Salam, Adebayo was performing lawful duties under directives from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), resuming work after an 11-month strike and processing files related to the retirement of outgoing staff.

Salam accused certain politicians, allegedly acting with police backing, of abusing their power and undermining the rule of law. He specifically named Mr. Issa Akinwale, a former council staff sacked by court rulings, as supervising the detention and humiliation of Adebayo.

“The dehumanising treatment of citizen Adebayo by a politician in the presence of law enforcement agents is despicable, condemnable, and outrightly unconstitutional,” Salam said.

The lawmaker called for:

Immediate release of Adebayo

Formal apology from the police

Cessation of unlawful control of local councils by APC politicians

Withdrawal of police personnel from illegal duties in local government secretariats

Salam warned that continued police involvement in partisan political activities at the local government level threatens democracy, judicial authority, and citizens’ rights.

The controversy comes despite two separate court judgments—the Federal High Court, Osogbo, and the Court of Appeal, Akure—which had nullified the election of council chairmen in October 2022 and upheld new elections conducted on 22 February 2025. The Nigeria Police Force, according to the lawmaker, has frustrated the enforcement of these rulings.

“Security agencies must remain neutral and uphold court judgments rather than aid their violation,” Salam stressed.