Ajuwon DPO accused of vindictive, retaliatory prosecution of widow after RULAAC petition
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ajuwon Police Station, Yusuf Joseph, has been accused of rushing to prosecute a 44-year-old widow, Akinluyi Rosemary, just 24 hours after the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) petitioned him over alleged mishandling of a vandalism case.
In a statement issued after petitioning the Police Service Commission (PSC) and cited by TheNiche, RULAAC accused the DPO of vindictively prosecuting Rosemary less than 24 hours after highlighting alleged unprofessional conduct by his officers.
The petition, titled “ALLEGED EXTORTION, RETALIATORY PROSECUTION, AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY BY DPO YUSUF OF AJUWON POLICE STATION,” details multiple irregularities.
According to RULAAC, the vindictiveness extended to the courtroom: Even after Rosemary was charged and granted bail, Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Oludotun Oluwafemi allegedly dragged her to Abeokuta Correctional Centre despite court officials confirming that her sureties had met all conditions and paperwork was nearly complete.
When TheNiche contacted the DPO, he denied the allegation of vindictive prosecution, arguing that Rosemary was charged to court after claiming his officers compelled her to sign an undertaking of replacing the vandalised electrical fittings.
RULAAC’s statement reads in part: “The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) to investigate serious allegations of abuse of office, monetization of bail, retaliatory prosecution, and deliberate frustration of bail in a case involving Mrs. Akinluyi Rosemary, a 44-year-old widow.
“The complaint concerns DPO Yusuf, Divisional Police Officer of Ajuwon Police Station, Ogun State, and officers under his command.
Background
“In January 2026, criminal justice experts at a national webinar titled ‘Behind the Bars: Interrogating Nigeria’s Rising Inmate Population’ highlighted how arbitrary arrests, weak investigations, monetized bail, and malicious prosecutions drive prison congestion across Nigeria. The case of Mrs. Akinluyi Rosemary reflects many of these systemic concerns.
From Complainant to Accused
“Mrs. Akinluyi initially reported a vandalism case at Ajuwon Police Station after discovering damage to an apartment belonging to her landlady. However, instead of conducting a professional investigation, officers allegedly:
*Pressured her to implicate another individual;
*Reclassified her from complainant to suspect without transparent investigative findings;
*Compelled her under intimidation to sign an undertaking to replace electrical wiring;
*Collected ₦30,000 from her brother as bail, despite clear police directives that bail is free.
“Following these developments, RULAAC petitioned the DPO over the irregularities, particularly the alleged unlawful bail payment. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Akinluyi was invited to the station under the pretext of further discussions and informed she was being charged to court without prior notice or opportunity to prepare her defence.
“She was arraigned in Charge No. MOJ/2C/2026 on counts of breaking and entering, stealing electrical fittings valued at ₦745,406, and malicious damage. RULAAC reports that she was told the case “would have been resolved without going to court” if the earlier petition had not mentioned the ₦30,000 bail payment—a statement that, if confirmed, strongly suggests retaliatory prosecution.
Deliberate Frustration of Bail
“After arraignment, the court granted her bail. Her sureties promptly fulfilled the conditions and documentation requirements. However, while court officials were finalizing the process, IPO PC Oludotun Oluwafemi allegedly insisted on immediately transporting her to Abeokuta Correctional Centre, despite being informed that bail documentation was nearly complete. Minutes after her transfer, bail was perfected.
“As a result:
*A surety reportedly paid ₦15,000 to enable a court official to travel from Ojodu to Abeokuta the next day to secure her release;
*Mrs. Akinluyi suffered avoidable incarceration and trauma;
*The justice system incurred unnecessary administrative burdens.
“This conduct, RULAAC argues, indicates the intention was punishment rather than legitimate prosecution.
Why This Matters
“The case illustrates how improper policing practices contribute to unnecessary criminalization and pretrial detention, exacerbating prison congestion nationwide. When complainants are turned into suspects, bail is monetized, prosecutions are allegedly weaponized, and judicial orders are frustrated, correctional facilities become holding centres for victims of systemic abuse rather than convicted offenders.
“Such practices undermine public trust, weaken the rule of law, and contradict the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and the Administration of Criminal Justice framework.
RULAAC’s Demands
“RULAAC has called on the Police Service Commission to:
*Conduct an independent investigation into the conduct of DPO Yusuf and the officers involved;
*Determine whether the prosecution of Mrs. Akinluyi was professionally justified or malicious;
*Investigate the alleged ₦30,000 bail collection and order a refund if confirmed;
*Examine the circumstances surrounding the hurried transfer to correctional custody despite imminent perfection of bail;
*Impose appropriate disciplinary measures where misconduct is established;
*Issue firm directives reinforcing compliance with police regulations prohibiting bail monetization and abuse of prosecutorial discretion.
A Test of Accountability
“The Police Service Commission has a constitutional mandate to enforce discipline and professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force. This case presents an important test of that responsibility. Retaliatory policing, monetized bail, and deliberate frustration of bail processes have no place in a constitutional democracy.
“RULAAC remains committed to supporting accountability efforts and will continue to monitor this matter closely.”
When TheNiche contacted DPO Yusuf for his side of the story, he said he was unaware of the case until that day. When asked if it was standard practice to charge a suspect without investigation, he responded that the case was charged to court after Rosemary said she was forced to sign an undertaking.
