SUNTV Global Channel | January 17, 2026 | Ogun State
A family in Ogun State has raised alarm over the continued detention of Owolaju Adekunle John, who was arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly hoisting a Yoruba Nation flag, with no clear timeline for his arraignment in court.
According to a family source who spoke to SUNTV Global Channel on condition of anonymity, Owolaju was arrested on Friday, January 9, 2026, alongside two other individuals in the Odeda area of Ogun State. The arrest reportedly followed allegations that the suspects attempted to remove a Nigerian national flag and replace it with a Yoruba (Oduduwa) Nation flag.
“He was arrested along with two other people in Ogun State on the 9th of January, 2026,” the source said.
The family said they were initially unaware of the arrest and only became worried the next day when Owolaju failed to honour a long-planned visit to his mother in Ibadan, Oyo State. His absence, coupled with failed attempts to reach him, reportedly caused panic among his wife and elderly mother.
“He was expected to visit our mother in Ibadan that day. When he didn’t show up and we couldn’t reach him, the wife and our mother became very worried,” the source explained.
The family later learned of his detention after an individual contacted Owolaju’s wife to inform her that he was in police custody.
“Someone eventually reached out to his wife and told her that her husband was with the police,” the source added.
The source alleged that Owolaju was accused of lowering the Nigerian flag at a local government facility and attempting to replace it with the Oduduwa Nation flag.
“He was said to have brought down the Nigerian flag at a local government and attempted to replace it with the Oduduwa Nation flag,” the source claimed.
According to the family, operatives of the Amotekun Corps initially arrested Owolaju and the two others before handing them over to the police. Since then, he has been detained at the Eleweran Police Station in Ogun State.
The family said their anxiety has been heightened by repeated postponements of his expected court arraignment.
“They first said he would be charged to court on Wednesday, then it was shifted to Thursday, and later to Friday. Now, we don’t even know when he will be taken to court,” the source lamented.
Beyond the legal uncertainty, the family described the emotional and health impact of the situation, particularly on Owolaju’s mother, a widow who was already dealing with health challenges before her son’s arrest.
“This situation has worsened his mother’s health. She already had complications before this incident, and the shock has affected her badly. We are appealing to the authorities for his release,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State Police Command had not issued a detailed public statement on the circumstances surrounding the arrest or the delay in arraignment.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that Owolaju and the others were in custody and that the matter would be taken to court.
“In due time, they will all be charged accordingly, considering the gravity of the offences committed,” Babaseyi said.
The case adds to ongoing national debates around separatist agitations, civil liberties, and the handling of politically sensitive arrests by security agencies.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to follow developments and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
