Another Isese activist, Chief Ademola Olawoore, popularly known as Oluwo of Tede, has been arrested and detained in a correctional facility in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He is facing a charge of defamation of character for allegedly insulting a Muslim cleric identified as Alfa Okutagidi.
Olawoore was arrested in Ibadan on August 19 and taken to Ilorin where he has remained in custody.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, he appeared shaken and scared. He claimed that he did not defame anyone and that he was only expressing his opinion.
Olawoore’s arrest came shortly after the arrest of another prominent Isese activist, Adegbola Abdulazeez, also known as Tani Olohun. Abdulazeez was also arrested in Ibadan and taken to Ilorin by the Kwara State Police Command. He was arraigned for defaming the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and some prominent clerics from the state.
Isese is a movement that promotes the traditional African religion and culture. It is also known as Ifa or Orisa. The movement has been facing persecution and harassment from some Muslim groups in Kwara State, who accuse them of blasphemy and idolatry.
Adedamola Solesi, one of the lawyers representing Olawoore and Abdulazeez, confirmed their arrest and detention. He said that they were being tried at the same time and that they would soon be released on bail.
He said: “On Baba Tede’s case, we could not effect his bail today (Wednesday) as his case and Talolorun’s are being tried at the same time. The preliminary objection must first be heard before they can be released per the court’s instruction.”
A Facebook page called Kwara Info also reported the arrest of Olawoore and Abdulazeez. The post titled “Defamation of character” read: “Oluwo of Tede who claimed Alfa Okutagidi has an Idol at home has been arrested for defamation of character. A day after, the blogger who named himself Tani Olohun was arrested.”
The Isese activists have received support and solidarity from their followers and sympathizers, who have condemned their arrest and detention as a violation of their human rights and freedom of expression.
