Sowore condemns law enforcement for detaining online journalists behind story on Elumelu's marital split

Nigerian human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has urged the Nigeria Police Force to release three individuals who were arrested for allegedly publishing defamatory reports about Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of United Bank for Africa.

n

In a post on Facebook on Monday, Sowore contended that reporting on a public figure's marital status is not a criminal offense that warrants arrest or detention, citing the case of @TonyOElumelu, Chairman of @UBAGroup, who was reportedly divorced from his wife.

n

Sowore argued that such matters fall under civil law and do not justify police intervention or repression, emphasizing that the @PoliceNG must immediately release Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue.

n

The call by Sowore came after United Bank for Africa issued a statement dismissing as false and defamatory a claim circulating on social media that Tony Elumelu had divorced his wife, Awele, describing the report as "fabricated, reckless, and malicious".

n

The statement, signed by Alero Ladipo, the bank's Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, stressed that the report was designed to mislead the public and damage reputations, prompting the bank to notify law enforcement agencies, which led to the arrest of three individuals linked to the report.

n

According to the bank, the matter has been referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, who have commenced action, resulting in the arrest of three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of the "malicious falsehoods".

n

The bank warned individuals and platforms sharing the content to stop and remove the publications, preserving related materials for potential legal proceedings, cautioning that failure to comply could lead to civil and criminal action.

n

The incident has sparked a debate about the boundaries of free speech, defamation laws, and the role of law enforcement in disputes involving online publications, with many weighing in on the issue.