Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, and his law firm have filed a petition requesting the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union to impose a visa ban on the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The petition, dated February 4, 2025, accuses Adejobi of suppressing free speech and using his position to intimidate Nigerians critical of the government.
The petition highlights multiple instances where Adejobi allegedly ordered the unlawful arrest and detention of individuals for expressing their opinions online. It accuses him of defending police brutality and weaponising the law against dissenters.
“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,” the petition stated.
The petition claims that Adejobi has shown a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights, especially freedom of speech. One instance cited was Adejobi’s statement on March 29, 2023, when he claimed that insulting police officers is a criminal offence in Nigeria.
This statement followed a viral incident involving musician Habeeb Okikiola (Portable), in which Adejobi labelled his actions as “unruly” and inciting violence against police officers.
Adejobi reiterated this stance in a Facebook post, stating that attacking or insulting police officers is disrespectful to Nigeria itself. Human rights advocates and legal experts widely condemned this position, noting that it infringes on citizens’ right to freedom of expression.
The petition also cited the arrest of nurse Olamide Thomas in December 2024. She was allegedly detained after posting a video critical of President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Adejobi himself. The petition described this as a direct assault on freedom of expression.
Another case referenced in the petition involved TikToker Destiny Ekhorutomwem, who was reportedly arrested on Adejobi’s orders for cyberbullying and cyberstalking.
The law firm said Ekhorutomwem was given an impossible bail condition and collapsed in police custody, requiring medical attention.
Further, the petition pointed to the unlawful arrest of Charles Uche Ihedioha, who was detained for making a comment on Twitter.
The law firm noted that when Ihedioha’s father visited the police station to see his son, Adejobi allegedly ordered the officers who granted him access to be locked up.
The petition also accused Adejobi of justifying 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 stated.
Adeyanju’s law firm called on the US, UK, Canada, and the European Union to take strong action against Adejobi, arguing that it would send a clear message to those who suppress freedom of speech and undermine democratic values.
The petition concluded, “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.”
The petition has sparked significant discussion on human rights, police conduct, and the protection of free speech in Nigeria.
