In January 2026, a routine police raid at Offa Garage led to the wrongful detention of Abosede Emmanuel, a pregnant woman whose only action was stepping out to look for her child.

Abosede had sent her little child on a brief errand to buy sugar when gunshots suddenly rang out during a police raid in the area. Alarmed and fearful for her child’s safety, she hurried outside to locate the child amid the confusion. In the process, she was arrested alongside several other individuals found within the vicinity.

While many of those arrested were later released after meeting bail conditions, Abosede’s situation was different. With no one available to stand as surety for her, she remained in custody. Her condition became even more concerning when it was confirmed that she was pregnant at the time of her arrest.

Subsequently, the Magistrate Court ordered that she be remanded at the Minimum Security Prison, Oke Kura, Ilorin, pending further proceedings. With no financial means, no legal representation, and carrying an unborn child, Abosede faced an uncertain future behind bars.

Her case might have gone unnoticed if not for Ipadeola Deborah, who brought the matter to the attention of LAFFoundation personnel in Nigeria through Salawu Oluwaseun Moses. Upon receiving the information, Moses immediately relayed the case to the Co-Founder of LAFFoundation, Barrister Alli Adedayo, ESQ. Recognising the gravity of the situation, particularly given Abosede’s pregnancy, the Foundation acted without delay.

As part of its intervention, LAFFoundation representatives Salawu Oluwaseun Moses and John Oyebode paid a visit to Abosede at the Oke Kura prison facility to obtain first-hand information. During the visit, it was discovered that her court hearing was scheduled for January 12 and that she had no lawyer assigned to her case.

Determined to ensure access to justice, the Foundation facilitated legal assistance by involving Barrister JP Jones, ESQ, and later engaging Lawyer Issa Rasheed Olatunji. Known for his diligence and strong courtroom advocacy, Lawyer Issa took up the matter with urgency.

On the day of the hearing, with John Oyebode present in court representing LAFFoundation, Lawyer Issa Rasheed Olatunji stood in defence of Abosede Emmanuel. In a broader act of service, he also represented seven other detainees who similarly had no legal counsel. Through effective legal representation, the court granted their release.

Remarkably, Lawyer Issa provided his services without requesting or accepting any form of payment.

For LAFFoundation, the intervention was more than securing freedom, it was about affirming dignity, safety, and the right to life. The case underscores the Foundation’s commitment to enforcing Fundamental Rights, ensuring that justice is not denied due to poverty, circumstance, or silence.

The release of Abosede Emmanuel brought relief not only to her but also to those who witnessed the power of timely advocacy and compassion. It stands as a reminder that behind every arrest is a human story, and behind every intervention is the chance to protect life and restore hope.

As LAFFoundation continues its work across communities, cases like this reinforce its mission of helping, improving, and transforming lives through practical action and the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, particularly for the vulnerable and marginalized.