Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Nigeria Police Force over the arrest of three individuals accused of publishing alleged defamatory reports about businessman Tony Elumelu.
The arrests followed a viral report on social media claiming that Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), had divorced his wife, Awele Elumelu. The claim was later denied by the bank, which described it as false and damaging.
Reacting to the development, Sowore took to his Facebook page on Monday to condemn the police action. He argued that reporting on the personal life of a public figure, even if controversial, should not be treated as a criminal matter.
“We must continue to remind the Nigeria Police Force that it is not a criminal offence warranting arrest or detention for bloggers to report that Tony Elumelu has reportedly divorced his wife,” Sowore wrote.
According to him, such issues fall within civil law and should be handled through legal processes like defamation suits rather than police intervention. He called on the authorities to immediately release the three individuals arrested in connection with the publication.
The individuals named by Sowore include Kingsley Akunemeihe, also known as Directorkem, Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue, popularly called Problemchimky.
Sowore’s statement has added to an ongoing debate about freedom of expression, the limits of online publishing, and the role of law enforcement in handling disputes involving social media content.
The controversy began after a report circulated online alleging that Elumelu had ended his marriage. The claim quickly gained attention, with many users sharing and commenting on it before any official response was issued.
In a statement released shortly after, UBA strongly denied the report, describing it as “false, defamatory, and malicious.” The statement was signed by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo.
“The attention of UBA Group has been drawn to a false, defamatory, and malicious publication currently circulating on social media platforms, falsely alleging that the Group Chairman has divorced his wife,” the statement read.
The bank maintained that the report was fabricated and intended to mislead the public and damage reputations. It also confirmed that the matter had been reported to law enforcement agencies, which led to the arrest of three individuals allegedly linked to the creation and spread of the content.
“We confirm that three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of these malicious falsehoods have been arrested,” the statement added.
UBA also warned others sharing the content to stop immediately and delete such posts. The bank advised individuals and platforms to preserve any related materials that may be needed for possible legal proceedings, noting that failure to comply could result in civil or criminal action.
The situation has raised important questions about how cases of alleged defamation should be handled in Nigeria, especially in the digital age where information spreads rapidly.
Nigeria has seen a rise in the influence of social media in recent years, with platforms becoming major sources of news and public discussion. While this has increased access to information, it has also led to concerns about misinformation and the spread of unverified reports.
Public figures, in particular, often find themselves at the centre of such controversies, as stories about their personal and professional lives can quickly go viral.
Sowore’s intervention reflects a broader concern among civil society groups about the balance between protecting reputations and preserving freedom of expression.
As of now, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the legal basis for the arrests. This has further fuelled calls for transparency and clarity on how such cases are handled.
For now, attention remains on whether the detained individuals will be released, as demanded by Sowore, and how the matter will proceed in the coming days.