Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately release three individuals arrested over alleged defamatory reports involving Tony Elumelu.
Sowore made the demand in a Facebook post on Monday, insisting that publishing claims about a public figure’s marital status does not constitute a criminal offence warranting arrest or detention.
“We must continue to remind the Nigerian Police Force that it is not a criminal offense warranting arrest or detention for bloggers to report that Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa, has reportedly divorced his wife,” he wrote.
“At most, such a matter falls within the realm of civil law and does not justify police action or repression,” Sowore added, while naming those detained as Kingsley Akunemeihe, also known as Directorkem; Chigozie Success Ihebom; and John Surpruchi Nwanorue, popularly called Problemchimky.
The activist’s comments followed a statement by UBA dismissing as false and defamatory a viral report alleging that Elumelu had divorced his wife, Awele.
In the statement signed by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, the institution described the claim as “fabricated, reckless, and malicious,” stressing that it was intended to mislead the public and damage reputations.
“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, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, has divorced his wife,” the statement read.
UBA confirmed that the matter had been referred to law enforcement authorities, leading to the arrest of three individuals allegedly linked to the creation and dissemination of the content.
“The relevant authorities have commenced action. We confirm that three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of these malicious falsehoods have been arrested,” the bank said.
The financial institution also warned individuals and platforms sharing the report to desist, urging them to take down the publications and preserve related materials for possible legal proceedings. It added that failure to comply could attract both civil and criminal consequences.