Take It Back Movement secures release of Ogundele after days in police custody

Take It Back Movement has secured the release of Semiu Ogundele, the African Action Congress House of Assembly candidate for Kosofe Constituency in Lagos State.

Ogundele was released at the Police Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, following the intervention of the movement’s Legal Department.

The development was disclosed by the Legal Department of the Take It Back Movement headed by Barrister Bolaji Oluwatosin, in a statement shared on its social media handles on Monday. According to the statement, Ogundele had been in police custody since Friday without access to his phone or the opportunity to communicate with his family.

The Legal Department also said Ogundele had no involvement in the offence for which he was arrested, “Following our intervention and the necessary representations made on his behalf, he was released from custody and reunited with his people,” the statement said.

The movement said the intervention was necessary because of the need to protect the liberty and rights of citizens, “It is another reminder that where the liberty of a citizen is at stake, the law must not merely be spoken of; it must be made to work,” the Legal Department added.

Ogundele is the AAC candidate for the Kosofe Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly election. In June, he engaged residents of riverine communities in Kosofe, where he spoke about challenges including poor infrastructure, healthcare, housing and insecurity. He said these issues would form part of his legislative priorities if elected.

The Take It Back Movement’s Legal Department also acknowledged those who helped bring Ogundele’s detention to its attention and supported efforts to secure his release.

It thanked the Lagos AAC governorship candidate, Engr. Oluwadamola Adesanya Sol-Nuyi; Comrade Ayoyinka Oni, who brought the matter to the attention of the legal team and helped coordinate the response; Comrade Samson, the current Chairman of the Lagos AAC; Comrade Royal; and other supporters who remained at the police headquarters throughout the process.

The movement said Ogundele had been released from custody and reunited with his people following the legal intervention.