A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as Eniba, has reportedly been released by the Nigeria Police Force after being arrested in connection with the violent assault on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board member, Otito Atikase, without any consultation with the victim’s legal counsel.
The suspect was initially detained following a high‑level investigation by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja into the February 16, 2026 incident in Akure, Ondo State, where a group of armed men allegedly stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat and violently disrupted a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of ward congresses.
During preliminary questioning, Eniba reportedly confessed that the group involved in the attack had been mobilised and paid with the “intent to assassinate” Hon. Atikase — a development that heightened concerns about political thuggery in the lead‑up to party activities.
However, a source close to the matter told Chronicles Reporters on Thursday that Eniba was quietly released by police authorities without informing Barrister Babatunde Akintade, the lawyer representing Atikase. According to the source, the legal team was not notified prior to or after the suspect’s release, raising serious questions over due process and procedural transparency.
Barrister Akintade, the Principal Partner at Babatunde Akintade Legal Consult, had been handling the legal proceedings on behalf of the NDDC commissioner but was reportedly kept in the dark about the suspect’s release.
Efforts by Chronicles Reporters to obtain comment from both Atikase and the Ondo State chapter of the APC were unsuccessful as of press time. However, political stakeholders and legal experts have begun to express concern over the police’s handling of the case, noting that failure to engage the complainant’s lawyer may undermine public confidence in the justice process.
The case originally drew nationwide attention and criticism after video and witness accounts emerged showing the chaotic attack, with party leaders including Atikase and other officials allegedly beaten and manhandled on the premises.
The release of Eniba without due consultation has now reignited debate about accountability, the integrity of law enforcement actions in politically charged cases, and the protection of victims’ rights in high‑profile attacks.
Chronicles Reporters will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.