Inside Edo
Tension at Edo State High Court as police detained activists
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
27 Aug 2025 05:27 PM
Benin, Edo – A dramatic incident unfolded at the Edo State High Court on Tuesday August 26, 2025, when Comrade Oni Edigin, the Coordinator General of 'Bail is Free' Campaign, alongside Comrades Vincent Abuliemen and Stephen Idogun, were detained following a confrontation at the court premises.
The trio had arrived at the court to submit a petition but was denied entry by security personnel, sparking a chain of events that led to their temporary hold at Aideyean Police Station.
According to sources, the group was barred from entering the court compound in their Toyota Yaris, with security operatives citing a standing order from the Chief Judge prohibiting Toyota Yaris vehicles and minibuses from accessing the premises.
Comrade Edigin reportedly requested a written notice of the directive, a question that did not sit well with one of the security personnel, described as a "fierce-looking man" who later emerged as a central figure in escalating the situation.
Efforts to resolve the matter amicably were thwarted as the security operative, in collaboration with the court’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), allegedly preempted Edigin’s attempt to contact the court registrar.
Instead, the police were swiftly called to the scene, resulting in the trio being escorted to Aideyean Police Station.
The group was held at the station’s counter in what sources described as an attempt to intimidate them, though no formal charges were laid.
The situation was diffused through the intervention of Comrades Solomon Idiogbe and Maxist Kola Edokpayi, who were already present at the court and worked to de-escalate the incident.
Their efforts, combined with the humane approach of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), led to a resolution.
The court CSO informed the DPO that the matter had been settled internally, allowing the comrades to be released without further incident.
The episode has raised concerns about access to justice and the treatment of petitioners at the Edo State High Court.
The alleged standing order barring certain vehicles and the swift involvement of police without clear justification have sparked questions about transparency and fairness in the court’s operations.
Comrades Edigin, Abuliemen, and Idogun remain undeterred, with supporters praising their resilience in the face of what they describe as an attempt to suppress their voices.
As of press time, no official statement has been released by the Edo State Judiciary regarding the incident.
The event underscores ongoing tensions surrounding administrative protocols at the court and their impact on citizens seeking to engage with the judicial system.
The trio had arrived at the court to submit a petition but was denied entry by security personnel, sparking a chain of events that led to their temporary hold at Aideyean Police Station.
According to sources, the group was barred from entering the court compound in their Toyota Yaris, with security operatives citing a standing order from the Chief Judge prohibiting Toyota Yaris vehicles and minibuses from accessing the premises.
Comrade Edigin reportedly requested a written notice of the directive, a question that did not sit well with one of the security personnel, described as a "fierce-looking man" who later emerged as a central figure in escalating the situation.
Efforts to resolve the matter amicably were thwarted as the security operative, in collaboration with the court’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), allegedly preempted Edigin’s attempt to contact the court registrar.
Instead, the police were swiftly called to the scene, resulting in the trio being escorted to Aideyean Police Station.
The group was held at the station’s counter in what sources described as an attempt to intimidate them, though no formal charges were laid.
The situation was diffused through the intervention of Comrades Solomon Idiogbe and Maxist Kola Edokpayi, who were already present at the court and worked to de-escalate the incident.
Their efforts, combined with the humane approach of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), led to a resolution.
The court CSO informed the DPO that the matter had been settled internally, allowing the comrades to be released without further incident.
The episode has raised concerns about access to justice and the treatment of petitioners at the Edo State High Court.
The alleged standing order barring certain vehicles and the swift involvement of police without clear justification have sparked questions about transparency and fairness in the court’s operations.
Comrades Edigin, Abuliemen, and Idogun remain undeterred, with supporters praising their resilience in the face of what they describe as an attempt to suppress their voices.
As of press time, no official statement has been released by the Edo State Judiciary regarding the incident.
The event underscores ongoing tensions surrounding administrative protocols at the court and their impact on citizens seeking to engage with the judicial system.
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