Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to release three individuals arrested over alleged defamatory social media posts involving the Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Sowore argued that reports about a public figure’s personal life, including claims of divorce, should not be treated as a criminal matter that warrants arrest or detention.
He insisted that such issues fall under civil law and do not justify police intervention, adding that the continued detention of the individuals raises concerns about freedom of expression.
Read Also:
Akpama Elected NDC Cross River Chairman, Vows Inclusive Leadership Ahead of 2027
Sowore specifically demanded the release of Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue, who were reportedly arrested in connection with the viral publication.
The arrests followed a statement by UBA, which dismissed the claims about Elumelu’s marriage as false and malicious. The bank described the report as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage reputations.
UBA also confirmed that it had reported the matter to law enforcement authorities, leading to the arrest of the individuals allegedly linked to the publication.
The bank warned against further circulation of the claim, stating that those involved could face both civil and criminal consequences if they fail to retract the content.
The incident has sparked renewed debate on social media over the boundaries between defamation, press freedom, and police involvement in online disputes involving public figures.
