Mr. Julius Ekujumi, one of the vocal officers of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, was arrested at approximately 5:00 PM today, February 18, 2026, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at his shop in Akure.
According to a public statement released by his legal team Barrister Tope Temokun, Mr. Ekujumi “has spoken with us. He is unbroken.” The statement described him as one of three Amotekun officers who initiated the agitation for the issuance of formal appointment letters to all operatives of the Corps. In the course of this activism, he “became the vocal voice of the movement, publicly speaking against what he described as oppression within the agency.”
The statement alleges that Mr. Ekujumi’s activism brought him into direct conflict with his commander, who reportedly declared him and others “wanted.” This led to what the statement describes as a manhunt allegedly involving a combined team of Amotekun and NDLEA operatives.
In a related incident on December 10, 2025, the statement alleges that a joint team of security operatives “stormed his residence, forcefully took away his wife, Mrs. Dupe Ekujumi, who has reportedly remained in custody since then without lawful justification.” The lawyer’s office confirmed that steps are being taken to challenge what they describe as an “abuse of power.”
The public statement issued by Mr. Ekujumi’s counsel, Tope Temokun, Esq., Principal Counsel at Tope Temokun Chambers, made clear the legal position:
“If there is any lawful allegation against Mr. Ekujumi, the proper constitutional path is simple: charge him before a court of competent jurisdiction without delay. Arrest, intimidation, and prolonged detention are not substitutes for due process.”
The statement also outlined three specific demands:
1. “The immediate release of Mrs. Dupe Ekujumi, or her prompt arraignment before a court if there is any lawful charge.”
2. “The immediate charging of Mr. Julius Ekujumi to court if any offence is alleged.”
3. “An end to the use of state power to silence dissenting voices.”
Barrister Tope Temokun concluded by emphasizing the commitment of his chambers to protecting their clients’ rights:
“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and take all lawful steps necessary to protect the constitutional rights of our clients.”
The arrest of Mr. Ekujumi has already sparked reactions among civil rights groups and observers, raising concerns about alleged intimidation of dissenting voices within security agencies. Chronicles Reporters will continue to follow developments and provide updates as the situation unfolds.