ADEYANJU DEJI, a human rights activist has written a letter to the United States Embassy in Nigeria to impose a travel ban on Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of Police and the spokesman for the Nigerian Police Force.
The activist lawyer who posted the document of the signed petition on his Facebook account that his firm petitioned the US, UK, Canada & EU to place a visa ban on Police PRO and members of his family for a crackdown against freedom of speech in Nigeria.
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The document partly reads, “We urgently appeal to the United States of America to impose a visa restriction on Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the current Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force.
“ACP Adejobi’s public statements and actions have demonstrated a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of speech. On multiple occasions, he has asserted that insulting police officers is a criminal offence in Nigeria, an assertion that legal experts and human rights advocates have widely condemned.
“For example, in a widely circulated tweet on March 29, 2023, ACP Adejobi stated that “hurling insults at Police Officers carrying out their legal duty is criminal and punishable by the criminal laws of Nigeria.”
“This statement was made in response to a viral incident involving musician Habeeb Okikiola (Portable), in which Adejobi labelled his behaviour as “unruly” and inciting violence against officers.
“Furthermore, he reiterated this stance in a Facebook post, declaring that attacking or even verbally insulting police officers is an act of disrespect to Nigeria itself.”
The petition further stated the December 2024 arrest of activist and nurse Olamide Thomas, allegedly ordered by Adejobi, after she criticised President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Adejobi himself in a video.
“Her arrest and subsequent detention have been viewed as a direct attack on freedom of expression,” the law firm said.
Another case referenced is that of TikToker Destiny Ekhorutomwen, who was detained for cyberbullying and cyberstalking under Adejobi’s directives.
“He was given an impossible bail condition requiring four sureties with assets valued at N2 billion. While in custody, he collapsed and was rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja,” the firm said.
The petition further accuses Adejobi of ordering the arrest of Nigerian citizen Charles Uche Ihedioha over a Twitter comment.
It reads, “ Most recently, ACP Adejobi took his abuse of power a step further by ordering the arrest and detention of a Nigerian citizen over a Twitter comment. According to reports, Adejobi used his position to unlawfully detain Mr Charles Uche Ihedioha simply for expressing an opinion online.
“This incident underscores his pattern of using state power to silence critics, violating both Nigerian laws and international human rights standards.
“When Mr. Daniel’s father, Mr. Nathaniel Ihedioha went to the police station to see his son, ACP Adejobi ordered that the officers who granted him entry be locked up. This action further highlights Adejobi’s power-drunk tendencies and his blatant abuse of authority.”
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Additionally, it states that when the detainee’s father, Nathaniel Ihedioha, visited the police station to see his son, “ACP Adejobi ordered that the officers who granted him entry be locked up.”
Beyond these individual cases, the petition alleges that Adejobi has consistently defended police brutality.
“In a recent report, he justified excessive force used by officers and dismissed calls for accountability, further proving his complicity in the continued abuse of Nigerian citizens,” the firm said.
The law firm urges the US and other nations to take decisive action.
“We believe such action would send a strong message that individuals who suppress freedom of speech and undermine democratic principles will not be welcomed in the United States,” it said.
