According to a family source who asked not to be named, Owolaju was arrested alongside two other individuals in Ogun State on Friday, January 9, 2026 for allegedly trying to replace a Nigerian flag with Yoruba Nation flag in the Odeda area of the state.
The arrest of a man, Owolaju Adekunle John by the Ogun State Police Command has left his family in distress, confusion, and growing anxiety, as days pass without clarity on when he would be formally charged in court.
According to a family source who asked not to be named, Owolaju was arrested alongside two other individuals in Ogun State on Friday, January 9, 2026 for allegedly trying to replace a Nigerian flag with Yoruba Nation flag in the Odeda area of the state.
“He was arrested along with 2 other people in Ogun State on the 9th of January, 2026.” the source said.
The family who were not initially aware of his arrest reportedly became alarmed the following day when Owolaju failed to keep a long-anticipated appointment with his mother in Ibadan.
His absence, combined with an inability to reach him, triggered concern within the household, particularly among his wife and elderly mother.
“We noticed the situation the following day when the wife and our mother became very curious. He was expected to visit our mom in Ibadan the day he was arrested,” the source stated.
It was not until someone contacted Owolaju’s wife that the family learned he was being held by the police.
“Someone reached out to his wife to inform her that her husband is in police custody,” the source said.
The family source alleged that Owolaju’s arrest stemmed from an incident in which he was accused of lowering the Nigerian national flag at a local government area and attempting to replace it with the Oduduwa Nation flag.
“He was said to have brought down the Nigeria flag at a LG and attempted to replace it with Oduduwa Nation flag,” the source said.
According to the account, operatives of the Amotekun Corps initially apprehended Owolaju and the two others before transferring them to the police.
Since then, Owolaju has been detained at the Eleweran Police Station in Ogun State, with his family struggling to obtain consistent information about his status.
“They were caught by Amotekun and later handed over to the police and he is at Eleweran police station at Ogun State,” the source added.
The uncertainty surrounding his detention has been compounded by repeated changes to the date he was expected to be charged to court.
Each postponement, the family said, has deepened their fear and frustration.
“They initially said he would be charged to court on Wednesday but moved to Thursday and later to Friday. Currently, we don't know or have an idea when he would be charged to court,” the source said.
Beyond the legal uncertainty, the family said the emotional toll has been severe, particularly for Owolaju’s mother, a widow who had been battling health complications even before her son’s arrest. The shock of his detention and the lack of clear updates have reportedly worsened her condition.
“The development has affected his mother's health who is a widow and had health complications before his arrest. We seek his release by the police authorities,” the source said.
For the family, each passing day without answers has intensified their sense of helplessness. They say they are caught between hope and fear, waiting for word from authorities while worrying about Owolaju’s wellbeing in custody and the fragile health of his mother.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State Police Command has not issued an official statement on the arrest, the allegations against Owolaju, or when he and the other suspects will be arraigned in court.
When SaharaReporters contacted the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer,DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, he confirmed the arrest while also confirming plans to take the matter to court.
"In due time they all will be charged accordingly as you know the gravity of the offences committed," he said while reacting to when Owolaju would be charged to court.