Omoyele Sowore has called on the Nigeria Police Force to release three individuals arrested over alleged defamatory reports concerning Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
In a Facebook post on Monday, Sowore insisted that publishing claims about a public figure’s personal life should not be treated as a criminal offence that justifies arrest or detention.
“We must continue to remind the Nigerian Nigeria Police Force… that it is not a criminal offense warranting arrest or detention for bloggers to report that @TonyOElumelu, Chairman of @UBAGroup, has reportedly divorced his wife,” he wrote.
He further argued that such matters fall under civil law and do not require police action.
“At most, such a matter falls within the realm of civil law and does not justify police action or repression. The @PoliceNG must therefore immediately release Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue (@problemchimky),” he added.
Sowore’s statement followed UBA’s official response to a viral claim alleging that Elumelu had divorced his wife, Awele.
In a statement signed by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, UBA dismissed the report as false, describing it as “fabricated, reckless, and malicious,” and aimed at misleading the public while damaging reputations.
