By Palang Paul
Human rights activist and Nigeria Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the arrest of three individuals by the Nigeria Police Force over alleged defamatory reports concerning businessman Tony Elumelu.
The arrests followed the circulation of viral claims suggesting that Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), had divorced his wife, Awele—an allegation the bank has strongly denied.
Reacting in a Facebook post on Monday, Sowore argued that publishing claims about a public figure’s marital status does not amount to a criminal offence that justifies arrest or detention. He described the police action as an abuse of power and a threat to freedom of expression, calling for the immediate release of those detained.
Sowore maintained that disputes over alleged defamation should be resolved through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution, warning that the use of law enforcement to clamp down on dissenting or controversial publications undermines democratic principles.
Meanwhile, UBA, in an official statement signed by its Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, dismissed the divorce report as false, defamatory, and malicious. The bank said the publication was deliberately fabricated to mislead the public and tarnish reputations.
The development has sparked fresh debate over press freedom, digital expression, and the limits of defamation laws in Nigeria, particularly regarding how authorities respond to online content involving prominent public figures.
As of press time, the police have not issued a detailed public response addressing Sowore’s criticism or clarifying the legal basis for the arrests.
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