onday in Nigeria, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore spoke against the arrest of three bloggers by the Nigeria Police Force over reports about businessman Tony Elumelu. Sowore made his position known through a social media post, arguing that the matter should not have led to detention.
Sowore said the issue at the centre of the arrests involved claims about Elumelu’s marriage, which he described as a private matter that does not fall under criminal law. He maintained that such cases should be handled through civil processes if necessary, not through police action. He called for the immediate release of the individuals involved, naming them as Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Ihebom, and John Nwanorue.
The situation followed a response from United Bank for Africa, where Elumelu serves as chairman. The bank denied the circulating reports about a divorce involving Elumelu and his wife, Awele Elumelu. It described the claims as false and damaging, stating that they were created to mislead the public and harm reputations.
UBA also confirmed that it had contacted security agencies over the matter, which led to the arrest of three persons linked to the creation and spread of the reports. The bank further warned others sharing the content to stop and remove such posts, noting that failure to comply could lead to legal action.
The incident has led to wider discussion about free speech, online publishing, and the role of law enforcement in handling cases related to defamation. While some support action against false information, others believe such matters should remain within civil law and not involve arrests.