The family of a 40-year-old man, Taofeek Azeez, has demanded justice following his death in police custody in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.

Azeez reportedly died hours after local vigilantes arrested him over allegations of stealing cocoa seeds. He was taken to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye before being handed over to the police.

A video reportedly showed the deceased being subjected to corporal punishment and paraded half-naked while being taken to the palace.

His brother, Fatai Alimi, accused the police of complicity and called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Alimi said the family learnt that Azeez had been arrested over the alleged theft after he left home for the farm. He questioned the circumstances of his death, saying the family found the explanation that he had taken his own life suspicious.

He added that Azeez was a father of six children, had three wives and left behind an elderly mother.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the incident, with its spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, saying the community apprehended Azeez over the alleged theft and took him to the traditional ruler, who directed that he be handed over to the police.

According to Ojelabi, Azeez was questioned and detained at the Agbeye police outpost. An officer later discovered him dead in the cell a few hours after his detention.

The police spokesperson said the command’s preliminary findings indicated suicide, adding that the officer in charge of the cell would be interrogated as part of the investigation.

The family’s demand for justice comes amid questions over the circumstances leading to Azeez’s death and reports of his alleged treatment before he was transferred to police custody.

The police said the family had been contacted and that further steps were being taken to investigate the incident.