The judge, while making reference to the counter-affidavit filed against Tani Olohun’s bail application said the other party (police) believed Tani Olohun committed the alleged offence and there was no assurance that his appearance would be guaranteed in court if granted bail.
A Chief Magistrate Court in Kwara State earlier on Tuesday refused the bail application filed by Adegbola Abdulazeez, an Isese (traditional religion) practitioner and activist, also known as Tani Olohun.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the court denied Tani Olohun’s bail application because there was no assurance that his presence would be guaranteed after securing bail.
And so, the bail application was denied.
The judge, while making reference to the counter-affidavit filed against Tani Olohun’s bail application said the other party (police) believed Tani Olohun committed the alleged offence and there was no assurance that his appearance would be guaranteed in court if granted bail.
“That I know as a matter of fact if the defendant applicant is released on bail, he will jump bail. He has no reliable surety that will ensure his presence in court when required because he resides outside the jurisdiction of the court.
“He has no traceable address,” the judge quoted some paragraphs from the respondent’s counter-affidavit.
Reacting to the court ruling, one of Tani Olohun's lawyers described the situation as unbelievable. He said the reasons adduced by the court to deny his client's bail application were not cogent enough.
He said, "It is shocking and unbelievable that offences that are bailable have been rejected or denied. That is the situation we faced.
"I can only say that it is already trite that the court has the discretion to grant bail or not, depending on the circumstance and the discretion is unfettered and that is the position of the law. It is discretional.
“He has given the reasons why he doesn’t want to grant him bail. Those reasons are not tenable to you. We will explore the next step in law you understand to address the situation.”
The lawyer noted that another bail application would be moved in the Upper Area Court in Kwara on Wednesday, adding that the cases are different.
He said, “Tomorrow’s case is another bail application. It is another court entirely, another scenario.
“There are two defendants in that case; there’s also Babatade who is involved. So there are two defendants in the upper area court. So they are different situations, different scenarios.
“Tomorrow, we will move that application for bail. It does not follow that what happened here will happen there but the two courts must grant him bail for him to get his freedom. These are criminal charges against him and two courts must give him bail before he can be free.”
Earlier in September, President General of the Worldwide Isese Agbaye Community Society of Nigeria and Légùşęn of Odè Ulé Kingdom of Legusenland, Oba Adedayo Adekoya demanded the unconditional release of Tani Olohun and other detained indigenous religion practitioners in Nigeria.
The monarch made this known in his speech during the celebration of the World Èrò Day festival.
The World Èrò Day festival is celebrated annually on September 6, using the 13-month lunar calendar.
He expressed his displeasure with the detention and intimidation of traditional religion practitioners in Nigeria because of their faith.
“After 21 days of prayers, the ancient indigenous sesefun crown of primordial times comes out to bless the world with Ero at the beginning of the Ìṣẹ̀sé Àgbáyé new year.
“This year’s festival is dedicated to fundamental human rights and freedom in support of all Ìṣẹ̀sé Àgbáyé activists in all parts of the world, particularly those currently facing persecution for their faith, religion, spirituality and extra-physical consciousness such as Talolorun and others,” he said.
SaharaReporters had reported how Tani Olorun was remanded in prison for allegedly planning to start a war in Ilorin city, the Kwara State capital, by "inviting other traditional and idol worshippers to assemble in Ilorin on the 20th of August, 2023”.
He was also accused of burning the Quran and insulting some Islamic clerics.
It was also reported how some Muslim clerics in Ilorin threatened to stone some Isese worshippers performing rites at a river in the Oko Lowo area of the state.
The Muslim clerics were caught on camera threatening to stone the traditional religion practitioners including their priestess, who was there.