The name Akinwale Arobieke stirred strong reactions in Liverpool. After his recent passing, we revisit the astonishing 2014 interview where the bodybuilder made his infamous “witch hunt” claims against police. What truly unfolded behind the headlines? Dive into the full story that shocked Merseyside.
The recent passing of Akinwale Arobieke, the notorious Liverpool bodybuilder, at the age of 64, has reawakened public discussion surrounding his long-standing and fervent claims of being the victim of a “witch hunt.” His death, confirmed as non-suspicious, brings a somber close to a life often lived under intense scrutiny and marked by significant legal battles, casting a fresh light on his controversial legacy within Merseyside.
Authorities were called to a property near Princes Park on Tuesday, August 26, following reports of an unresponsive man. Officers from Merseyside police attended the scene at approximately 8:30 pm, where Mr. Arobieke was pronounced deceased. The circumstances surrounding his death have been deemed non-suspicious, and the coroner’s office for Liverpool has subsequently received an official file, initiating the formal process for his passing.
Akinwale Arobieke first broke his silence in a rare and candid interview in 2014, where he passionately articulated his belief that he was being unfairly targeted. This interview, widely reported as his first public address on the matter, detailed his accusations of a concerted effort against him, leading to the highly publicized “witch hunt” claim that would define much of his later public image and fuel ongoing bodybuilder controversy.
During this explosive discussion, Mr. Arobieke expressed his intention to initiate legal proceedings against Greater Manchester Police, asserting that their treatment of him was unjust and unfounded. He conveyed a deeply personal struggle, emphasizing the human element behind the sensational headlines and calling for an end to what he perceived as relentless persecution. “It’s a witch hunt and it needs to stop,” he stated emphatically, urging a re-evaluation of his public narrative.
His persistence eventually led to a significant development in 2022 when Akinwale Arobieke received a “substantial” out-of-court settlement from the Greater Manchester Police force. This resolution, achieved after years of legal contention, underscored the validity of his grievances to some extent, bringing a formal close to a prolonged and arduous legal battle that had captivated local attention and sparked widespread debate.
Adding weight to Arobieke’s assertions, his Liverpool-based lawyer, Joe Ely, echoed the sentiment of unfair targeting, positing that his client had become a “modern-day bogeyman.” Ely highlighted the extensive time Mr. Arobieke spent in custody, often culminating in not-guilty verdicts from jury trials, further reinforcing the narrative of a systemic targeting that fed into the overall “witch hunt” claim and public fascination.
The death of Akinwale Arobieke inevitably reignites the complex discussions surrounding justice, public perception, and the individual’s struggle against institutional power. His life story, interwoven with the fabric of Liverpool news, remains a poignant example of a figure whose public persona was heavily shaped by legal challenges and an unyielding conviction in his innocence, leaving behind a legacy that continues to provoke thought and discussion regarding celebrity and crime.
Through these events, the case of Akinwale Arobieke serves as a powerful reminder of how public figures can become embroiled in contentious legal battles, forever altering their trajectory and impact. His steadfast belief in a “witch hunt” claim, coupled with a substantial settlement, ensures his story will resonate in discussions about justice and the media’s portrayal of controversial individuals for years to come.
