Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, reportedly stepped in on Tuesday morning to prevent police officers from arresting Isese practitioner Abdulazeez Adegbola, also called Tani Olohun, at his home in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, officers arrived at Tani Olohun’s residence and attempted to take him into custody. The move is linked to an ongoing criminal case filed by the Ilorin Heritage Preservation Foundation over a social media video the group says mocked an Islamic prayer and could spark religious tension.
Family members said they called Igboho immediately. He arrived with supporters and resisted the arrest.
One source told SaharaReporters: “Immediately the police tried to arrest Tani Olohun, his family called Sunday Igboho, and he came immediately with his boys and resisted the police from taking him away on Tuesday morning.”
Another source said the confrontation had already escalated. “Sunday Igboho later came after Tani Olohun had a scuffle with the police, and he told the police to hand over Tani Olohun to him, that they could not arrest him despite the court issuing a warrant of arrest against Tani Olohun,” the source said.
In a Facebook live video shared by relatives, the men at the house identified themselves as police officers. Relatives in the broadcast alleged the men were acting like kidnappers and pleaded for public help. Footage seen by SaharaReporters showed Tani Olohun seated near a tap with two officers standing nearby. A man recording accused the officers of behaving like “bandits” and said they had travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, in a vehicle without a visible registration number.
The circumstances of the operation remain unclear. It is not yet confirmed whether the officers had a valid warrant or were acting on a new court order.
The case against Tani Olohun was filed under Sections 114, 210 and 393(1) of the Penal Code Law of Kwara State. The Ilorin Heritage Preservation Foundation alleges the video, posted on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, drew hostile comments against Muslims and amounted to incitement of religious disturbance, contempt of religious creed and injurious falsehood.
The matter is before Upper Area Court II in the Ilorin Judicial Division. Proceedings were last adjourned to September 1, 2026. Court records indicate neither Tani Olohun nor his lawyer was present, while counsel for the foundation, Barrister Ademola Ajasa, noted their absence.
One source warned that Igboho could face legal action for allegedly obstructing police. “The court will deal with Sunday Igboho himself for stopping the police from arresting Tani Olohun,” the source said. That claim has not been independently verified.
Tani Olohun is a well-known advocate for Isese, the indigenous Yoruba faith, and has been involved in past disputes over religious freedom and cultural practice. The allegations against him remain unproven until determined by the court.
SaharaReporters said efforts to reach Igboho’s spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing.
