A Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has discharged and acquitted former President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ibitola Babatope, over allegations linked to unlawful assembly, cultism and election-related violence ahead of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primary election.
The court also cleared Boluwaji Ishola, President of the Moba Local Government Students’ Union, after the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice found no evidence connecting the pair to the alleged offences for which they were arrested alongside nine others.
The two student leaders were among 11 persons apprehended by the police during a raid on a hotel in Ikun-Ekiti on the eve of the APC primary election. Investigators initially linked the suspects to allegations bordering on conspiracy to commit robbery, threats of violence against APC delegates, possession of offensive weapons and cult-related activities.
Court documents obtained by journalists showed that the case, filed as Charge No. MAD/75K/2026, listed Mr Ishola as the third defendant and Mr Babatope as the seventh defendant.
A legal advice issued by the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ekiti State Ministry of Justice, reviewed the police investigation file and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a case against the two student leaders.
The legal advice, referenced 10/S/4699/07 and addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), stated that while evidence existed against some of the suspects, the case against Mr Ishola and Mr Babatope could not be sustained.
“The 3rd and 7th defendants are left off the hook, no sufficient evidence to link them with the commission of the crime,” the legal advice stated.
Acting on the recommendation of the DPP, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun struck out the names of the two defendants and ordered their immediate discharge.
According to the Enrolment of Order issued by the court on 26 May 2026, the magistrate directed that all items recovered from the two student leaders during the arrest be returned to them.
“The names of the 3rd and 7th defendants are hereby struck out and they are hereby discharged,” the court order read.
“The properties of the 3rd and 7th defendants and their phones and power banks in custody of the police are ordered to be released to them.”
While clearing the two student leaders, the Ministry of Justice advised that a prima facie case exists against the remaining nine defendants.
The legal advice indicated that the other suspects should face prosecution before the High Court for unlawful assembly and unlawful possession of offensive weapons under Sections 57 and 47 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The matter stemmed from a police request for legal advice dated 15 May 2026, following allegations of conspiracy to commit robbery, threats of violence against APC delegates, possession of offensive weapons and cultism-related offences.
Speaking after the ruling, Mr Babatope and Mr Boluwaji maintained that they had travelled to Ikun-Ekiti to provide media services for a House of Representatives aspirant before security operatives arrested them during the operation.
They welcomed the court’s decision and the findings of the Ministry of Justice, describing the outcome as a vindication of their innocence.
The ruling brings to a close a politically sensitive case that attracted attention in the build-up to the APC primary election in Ekiti State and clears both student leaders of any criminal involvement in the allegations investigated by the police.
