‘I only defended Yoruba kings’ — Tani Olohun speaks after police attempted arrest

Controversial Isese advocate Abdulazeez Adegbola, popularly known as Tani Olohun, has broken his silence following an alleged attempt by police officers to arrest him in Ibadan, Oyo State, insisting that he was only defending Yoruba traditional rulers against what he described as insulting comments.

Tani Olohun, in a video message seen by The Informant247, also clarified the role played by Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, during the incident.

According to him, Igboho did not prevent the police from carrying out their duties as widely reported, but arrived at the scene after residents had already confronted the officers for about 30 minutes.

“I was at home when the police came to arrest me. They did not even give me any opportunity to talk. It was when they started assaulting me that my people, relatives and neighbours insisted that I would not be arrested,” he said.

Tani Olohun alleged that the arrest attempt was connected to his response to individuals who had allegedly insulted and ridiculed prominent Yoruba monarchs.

“They have insulted and ridiculed you, dragged your names through the mud, yet you did nothing. But the moment I responded, they used the Sharia police to track my movement. I urge you to speak up and put an end to this,” he said.

Addressing Yoruba monarchs, he alleged that the Ooni of Ife, the Olubadan and the Oluwo had all been subjected to insults.

“Yoruba kings, you are tolerating abuses. They have abused Ooni of Ife, they have insulted Olubadan, same thing was done to Oluwo. People are insulting them. I only responded to these people to stop insulting Yoruba kings and they are using the police to look for me,” he said.

He urged traditional rulers to take what he described as attacks on the Yoruba traditional institution seriously.

Tani Olohun also expressed appreciation to residents and others who he said intervened during the confrontation with the police.

“We thank everybody who supported me and prevented my abduction by the police. I am presently receiving treatment,” he said.

On Sunday Igboho’s involvement, Tani Olohun said the activist arrived only after the confrontation had already begun.

“We had been dealing with the situation for about 30 minutes before Sunday Igboho arrived. By then, people had already blocked the police officers from leaving,” he said.

He further claimed that Igboho contacted the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara states to clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation.

According to Tani Olohun, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police said he was unaware of the operation, while the Kwara police commissioner subsequently appealed to Igboho to help secure the release of the officers at the scene.

He therefore rejected claims that Igboho had disrespected the law or unlawfully obstructed the police.

“I made this video to clarify the viral claim that Sunday Igboho prevented the police from arresting me and that he was disrespecting the laws of the land. I want to make it clear that Chief Sunday Igboho did not breach any law or disrespect the law,” he said.

The development followed confirmation by the Oyo State Police Command that the officers involved were from the Kwara State Command and had travelled to Ibadan to arrest Tani Olohun.

The police said the officers were acting on a warrant issued by the Upper Ilorin Magistrates’ Court over allegations bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The command explained that the warrant was issued after Tani Olohun allegedly failed to comply with conditions attached to a previously granted bail.

However, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police directed the Kwara officers to return to their state and advised the complainant to approach the appropriate court in Ibadan, where the alleged offence was said to have occurred.

The police said the directive was in line with due process and the principle of territorial jurisdiction.

The case originated from a complaint filed by the Ilorin Heritage Preservation Foundation over a social media video in which Tani Olohun allegedly mocked an Islamic prayer. The foundation claimed the video could provoke religious tension.

The matter is currently before the Upper Area Court II, Ilorin Judicial Division, and has been adjourned until September 1, 2026.

Tani Olohun, a prominent advocate of Isese, has remained involved in controversies surrounding traditional religion, religious freedom and Yoruba cultural practices.

The allegations against him remain before the court and have not been proven.