Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigerian Police of unlawfully detaining social media influencers Martins Vincent Otse, also known as “@thatverydarkman,” and Chizorom Ofoegbu, alias “@IjeleSpeaks2,” under the guise of the Cybercrime Act.
Sowore took to social media to express his outrage, alleging that the police colluded with influential figures to suppress free speech.
Sowore stated, “Otse was detained following remarks that certain senior police officers found discomforting, while Ofoegbu was arrested and sent to prison in Keffi, allegedly due to questionable magisterial misconduct in Abuja.”
Sowore further accused the police of colluding with a pastor to violate the fundamental rights of these individuals, jeopardizing their liberty in the process.
The activist condemned what he described as high-handed, reckless, and unjust actions by the Nigerian Police, emphasizing that such conduct is not only inhumane but also illegal. He called for the immediate release of Otse and Ofoegbu, urging authorities to refrain from misusing their powers to suppress free speech.
Highlighting the potential consequences of such actions, Sowore referenced the #EndSARS movement, which gained momentum as a result of widespread grievances against police brutality and misconduct. He warned that suppressing free speech could lead to further unrest and discontent among the populace.
Sowore also expressed gratitude towards activist Deji Adeyanju for his efforts in seeking justice for the detained individuals. He urged authorities to reconsider their actions and release all those detained under what he termed the “criminally engineered” Cybercrime Act.
