Mustapha was reportedly arrested by members of the Agbeye community on October 5 over an allegation of stealing 13 cocoa pods. He was allegedly beaten and handed over to the police but was found dead in the cell the following morning.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the deceased was apprehended by community members and taken to the traditional ruler, who subsequently directed that he be handed over to the police.
In a petition written by law firm L.S. Bello & Co. on behalf of Madam Nafisat Taofiki and two Ogboni leaders, the family called for an investigation into the alleged roles of Agbeye Police Post, Mufu Jimoh, Wasiu Egbebi, Taye Olaoye, Chief Ajasa and the traditional ruler of Agbeye.
The petition read in part, “That Taofiki Mustapha was alleged to have stolen 13 cocoa pods, and the above-named people beat the said Taofiki Mustapha, and the Kabiyesi Alagbeye of Agbeye directed that Taofiki Mustapha be taken to the police post after the beating.
“That our clients state further that Taofiki Mustapha died inside the cell of Police Post Agbeye.”
The family also questioned the theft allegation, stating, “Our clients state that investigation is yet to confirm that the deceased truly stole the cocoa pods.”
Speaking on the petition, the Police Public Relations Officer of Zone XI Command, Olanrewaju Ojedele, said two suspects, including the traditional ruler, had been invited to make statements before they were released.
“Two suspects, Kabiyesi and one other person, have been invited, and they wrote statements on the issue. They were released thereafter.
“We are waiting for the postmortem result to know the other facts. The result will assist the police in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the death,” he said.
Providing further details, Ojedele said Mustapha was accused of stealing cocoa pods on Monday, October 5, and was allegedly beaten and paraded around the community half-naked before being handed over to the police.
“On Monday, October 5, he (Taofiki) was accused of stealing cocoa pods. He was beaten and paraded around the Agbeye community half-naked, and he was filmed half-naked,” he said.
He added, “A man was ordered to hand over the accused to the police at Agbeye Police Post, and the accused was received by the police officer on duty. Unfortunately, the accused was found dead the following morning under suspicious circumstances.”
Ojedele further disclosed that the corpse had been deposited at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where a postmortem examination had been conducted.
“The corpse has been deposited at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital. A postmortem examination has been done, and they are awaiting the results,” he said