A family member who witnessed the arrest said he was manhandled before being whisked off and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Security agents, believed to be operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, have whisked away Prince Owolemi Emorioloye, a prominent critic of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Emorioloye, popularly known as Emotel and serving as Director-General of the Asiwaju Media Team, was reportedly abducted by armed men who stormed his residence in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, near the busy Okonga/Olodo Junction. According to accounts, the operatives arrived in two unmarked white Hilux vans, forced entry into Emorioloye’s residence, and took him away.
A family member who witnessed the arrest said he was manhandled before being whisked off. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Emorioloye has long been a vocal critic of the Interior Minister, repeatedly questioning the authenticity of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly issued to Tunji-Ojo.
Sources told reporters that his arrest is directly linked to his persistent calls for a thorough investigation into the minister’s academic and service credentials.
Meanwhile, his family’s legal representatives, Ogbulu Chambers, have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding accountability over the incident.
According to the law firm, in a petition dated January 15, 2026, and signed by Odidiomo Ayowole, Esq., Mr. Emorioloye was arrested at his home on January 15, 2026, by operatives believed to be from the Nigeria Police Force and taken to an undisclosed location.
The lawyers describe him as a law-abiding citizen and say he has been denied access to family and legal counsel.
The lawyers stated that all efforts to locate or communicate with their client since the arrest have proved abortive, describing the development as a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
The letter argues that the arrest violates sections of the Nigerian Constitution protecting personal liberty, human dignity, fair hearing, and access to legal counsel. The firm demands the police clarify the reasons for the arrest and either release Mr. Emorioloye or produce him before a competent court.
“It is our brief that Mr. Owolemi Emorioloye was arrested by operatives believed to be officers of your law enforcement agency at his residence in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location,” the petition read.
They cited Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that the alleged actions violated his rights to personal liberty, human dignity, fair hearing, and access to legal representation.
The lawyers demanded the immediate disclosure of his whereabouts, clarification of the alleged offence(s) against him, and either his unconditional release or arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Ogbulu Chambers warned that failure to comply will prompt legal action seeking enforcement of his rights and monetary compensation.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, and the Divisional Police Officer in Igbokoda.
An aide to the interior Minister Olubunmi who does not want to be named denied that he ordered anyone to be arrested.
"The Minister is used to criticism because that’s how one can further grow and advance. He’s not the kind of person to ask anyone to be arrested for criticising him,” one of his aides said.
“Over the years, he has shown that he’s not against people having opinions about him."