By Paul Joseph
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Nigeria Police Force over the arrest of three individuals linked to a viral report alleging that Tony Elumelu divorced his wife.
In a statement shared via social media on Monday, Sowore argued that publishing claims about a public figure’s marital status does not constitute a criminal offence, insisting that such matters should be treated as civil disputes rather than grounds for arrest or detention.
“It is not a criminal offense warranting arrest or detention for bloggers to report that Tony Elumelu has reportedly divorced his wife,” Sowore said.
“At most, such a matter falls within the realm of civil law and does not justify police action.”
He called for the immediate release of the three suspects Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue (@problemchimky) who were earlier detained over their alleged role in creating and spreading the report.
The controversy follows a firm rebuttal by the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which described the divorce report as false, defamatory, and malicious.
In a statement signed by its Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, the bank said the publication was fabricated to mislead the public and damage reputations.
UBA confirmed that law enforcement agencies had been notified, leading to the arrest of the three individuals allegedly connected to the report’s creation and dissemination.
The bank also warned bloggers and platforms sharing the claim to immediately delete the content and preserve related materials for potential legal proceedings, cautioning that failure to comply could result in both civil and criminal action.
The incident has sparked wider debate across Nigeria’s media and legal circles, raising questions about the limits of free expression, defamation laws, and the role of police in handling online publications.
While UBA insists the arrests are part of efforts to protect the reputation and integrity of its chairman, critics like Sowore argue that criminalising such publications risks undermining press freedom and civil liberties.
As investigations continue, the case is expected to test how Nigerian authorities balance digital speech rights with reputational protection in an era of rapid information spread online.
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