Ezekiel Detention Scandal: “Are Police Protecting Power?” — Bail Reportedly Met, Yet Detention Continues As Lawyers Demand Court Trial; Gbaboyor Says Tompolo’s Camp Appears Reluctant To Face Ezekiel In Court As CSO Allegedly “Shakes” During Heated Meeting
By Passman Akpos
ABUJA — The detention of Niger Delta activist Apostle Ezekiel Daniel Perela Osia has taken a fresh turn, with Engr. Jude Gbaboyor alleging that the activist remains in police custody despite the reported fulfilment of his bail conditions.
Gbaboyor said Ezekiel’s legal team is now prepared to approach the Federal High Court if the Nigeria Police Force fails to release him or formally charge him before a competent court.
The development has intensified questions surrounding the circumstances of Ezekiel’s continued detention, particularly amid allegations that discussions at the police station allegedly moved beyond the original complaint into Ezekiel’s controversial claims concerning Tompolo, Chief Ekomieyefa Uduboh, popularly known as KFT, and their associates.
The allegations remain contested and unproven, while Ezekiel is presumed innocent of any offence unless established otherwise by a competent court.
BAIL CONDITIONS REPORTEDLY FULFILLED
According to Gbaboyor, police initially imposed stringent bail requirements on Ezekiel.
He alleged that the conditions required either two Level 16 civil servants, each owning property valued at more than ₦50 million, or a businessman with a CAC-registered company and property worth more than ₦50 million in Abuja.
Gbaboyor said Ezekiel’s lawyers challenged the conditions and submitted an application seeking their variation on Monday, September 21, 2026.
According to him, the revised requirements were subsequently fulfilled the same day.
Ezekiel was reportedly moved from the FCID back to the Cybercrime Police Station, in what his legal team allegedly understood to be part of the process leading to his release.
However, Gbaboyor claimed that the expected release did not occur.
“THE OFFICER WHO MUST SIGN HAS TRAVELLED”
Gbaboyor alleged that lawyers were initially informed that the senior police officer required to complete and approve the bail documentation had travelled and would return on Tuesday morning.
He said the explanation became a source of concern because, according to his account, the required sureties were already available.
The situation allegedly took another turn when Ezekiel, his lawyer and the sureties were invited to a meeting involving police officers and KFT.
According to Gbaboyor, the discussion allegedly shifted from the question of bail to Ezekiel’s previous public allegations involving Tompolo, KFT and their associates.
ALLEGED PRESSURE TO WITHDRAW CLAIMS
Gbaboyor alleged that Ezekiel was asked during the meeting to apologise and withdraw or reconsider some of the statements he had previously made.
The activist reportedly refused, maintaining that he was prepared to defend his claims before a court.
Gbaboyor further alleged that Ezekiel was questioned about videos which he claimed supported some of his accusations.
According to the account, Ezekiel acknowledged possessing video evidence but declined to surrender it at the police station, insisting that such evidence should be presented before a court.
His lawyer reportedly adopted the same position, arguing that the police station was not the appropriate forum to determine the evidentiary merits of the allegations.
“TAKE ME TO COURT”
Gbaboyor said Ezekiel maintained that if his allegations were false, the proper place to determine the matter was a competent court.
He alleged that despite the reported availability of the required sureties, the legal team was again informed that the senior officer authorised to approve the bail was unavailable.
The lawyers were reportedly asked to await further communication.
As of Gbaboyor’s account, Ezekiel remained in custody.
GBABOYOR: TOMPOLO’S CAMP APPEARS RELUCTANT TO FACE EZEKIEL IN COURT
The development has also triggered a fresh allegation from Gbaboyor concerning the willingness of those implicated in Ezekiel’s public claims to confront him through judicial proceedings.
Gbaboyor alleged that the atmosphere surrounding the meeting suggested that Tompolo’s camp appeared reluctant to allow the dispute to proceed to court, where Ezekiel would have the opportunity to present whatever evidence he claims to possess.
He further alleged that the Chief Security Officer, CSO of Tompolo, KFT who was present during the heated interaction appeared visibly shaken during the confrontation.
That account is Gbaboyor’s allegation and has not been independently established by Tarakirivoice.
The underlying allegations against Tompolo, KFT and their associates remain disputed and should not be treated as established facts.
LAWYERS THREATEN FEDERAL HIGH COURT ACTION
The dispute reportedly intensified on Tuesday, September 22.
According to Gbaboyor, senior police officers continued discussions with Ezekiel and his lawyers while allegedly attempting to persuade them to abandon their demand for judicial intervention.
The legal team reportedly refused.
Their position, according to Gbaboyor, was straightforward: Ezekiel should either be released if his bail conditions have been fulfilled or taken before a competent court.
The lawyers reportedly warned that they would approach the Federal High Court on Wednesday, September 23, seeking legal protection over what they consider prolonged or unlawful detention.
Gbaboyor also alleged that information reached the legal team suggesting that police could seek a detention order from a magistrate court.
He said any attempt to obtain such an order retrospectively would be challenged.
SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AT CENTRE OF DISPUTE
At the heart of the wider controversy are serious allegations previously made publicly by Ezekiel concerning alleged unlawful detention, torture, forced labour and other abuses involving individuals he associates with Tompolo and his associates.
Ezekiel has also alleged the existence of private detention facilities in parts of the Niger Delta.
None of these allegations has been established as fact by a competent court.
Recent claims by a coalition of civil society, human-rights and community organisations have also added pressure on the police, with the group reportedly calling for Ezekiel’s immediate release and an independent investigation into allegations he has raised.
The coalition reportedly said Ezekiel was taken from his Life Camp residence on September 18 and subsequently held at Agwa Cement Police Station before being transferred to the Force CID in Abuja.
POLICE YET TO RESOLVE THE QUESTIONS
The controversy now revolves around two separate but connected issues.
The first is the complaint against Ezekiel arising from alleged defamatory publications.
The second concerns the allegations Ezekiel himself has made against powerful Niger Delta figures.
For Ezekiel’s lawyers and supporters, the immediate question is why he remains detained if his bail conditions have reportedly been fulfilled.
For the complainant and investigators, the allegations arising from Ezekiel’s publications remain subject to investigation and due process.
Ultimately, a competent court will have to determine the competing claims and whether any offence has been established.
GBABOYOR CALLS ON IGP TO INTERVENE
Gbaboyor has called on the Inspector-General of Police to personally examine the conduct of officers handling the case.
He questioned why, in his view, a dispute involving serious allegations should continue through detention rather than be subjected to transparent judicial proceedings.
He also urged police authorities to investigate Ezekiel’s allegations against Tompolo and his associates through appropriate legal channels.
Gbaboyor referenced previous allegations surrounding the death of Patrick Peresuodei in Bayelsa State, while acknowledging that claims concerning the circumstances of the death remain allegations requiring proper investigation.
He further expressed concern about Ezekiel’s safety while in custody.
“RELEASE HIM OR CHARGE HIM”
The position attributed to Ezekiel’s legal team remains clear:
Release Apostle Ezekiel Daniel if his bail conditions have been fulfilled, or take him before a competent court without further delay.
With civil society organisations demanding answers and lawyers reportedly preparing for Federal High Court action, the Ezekiel detention controversy could now enter a new legal phase.
The case also raises a broader question that only due process can answer: Will the competing allegations be tested openly before a court, or will the dispute remain trapped within police custody and closed-door negotiations?
Tarakirivoice will continue to monitor the case and report further developments as they emerge.
