Sowore tackles Elumelu for using police to arrest content creators

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has strongly condemned the recent arrests of three individuals in connection with a viral social media claim about businessman Tony Elumelu. Sowore asserts that the action taken by law enforcement is both unjustified and unlawful, arguing that such disputes should be handled within the civil court system.

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Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of @UBAGROUP, @Heirs_Holdings , and @TonyElumeluFDN is a public figure and a well-known content creator himself; he should respect fellow creators rather than use his influence or connections with the Nigeria Police Force to unlawfully detain anyone.

Sowore's stance emphasizes the principle that online content, even if controversial or defamatory, should not automatically lead to criminal charges and detention. He specifically pointed out that Tony Elumelu, as a public figure and a content creator himself, should exhibit greater respect for fellow creators rather than leveraging connections with the Nigeria Police Force to silence dissent or address grievances through arrest.

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Disputes over content are civil matters, not grounds for arrest and prolonged illegal detention.

The activist highlighted that publishing claims about a public figure's personal life, such as marital status, does not constitute a criminal offense. He stressed that disagreements stemming from content creation are fundamentally civil matters and should not be grounds for arrest or prolonged illegal detention. Sowore's call for the immediate release of Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue underscores his commitment to protecting freedom of expression and preventing the misuse of state power.

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The Police must therefore immediately release Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue.

This intervention by Sowore brings a human rights perspective to a situation where a prominent business figure's alleged use of police power to address a social media rumor has drawn criticism. It raises important questions about the boundaries between civil disputes, defamation, and criminal offenses in the digital age within Nigeria, and the potential for powerful individuals to influence legal processes.

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The attention of UBA Group has been drawn to a false, defamatory, and malicious publication… falsely alleging that the Group Chairman… has divorced his wife.