Human rights lawyer and activist,
Deji Adeyanju, has petitioned the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union, seeking an imposition of a visa ban on the Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, over alleged human rights abuses and crackdowns on freedom of speech of Nigerians.
In the petition dated February 4 and filed on Thursday, Adeyanju alleged that Adejobi “has consistently demonstrated a disregard for human rights, using his position to suppress dissent and target individuals critical of the government.”
The petition which was filed on his behalf by his law firm, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, argues that the police spokesman’s public statements and actions have contributed to an environment of intimidation against free expression in Nigeria.
“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 reads.
“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 offense 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 labeled his behavior 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 also pointed to the arrest of an activist and nurse Olamide Thomas in the December, 2024, 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 petition said.
It also referenced another case of a TikToker, Destiny Ekhorutomwem, who was arrested and 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,” it said.
The petition further accuses Adejobi of ordering the arrest of another Nigerian citizen, Charles Uche Ihedioha, over a Twitter comment.
“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.
“Beyond these individual cases, 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.
“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 said.
