Human rights lawyer and activist, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, has urged the United States of America (USA) embassy in Nigeria to consider imposing a visa ban on the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, over alleged rights violations.
Adeyanju, in a petition to the U.S. embassy, United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU), and the Canadian embassy, appealed to the foreign authorities not to allow Adejobi’s alleged blatant abuse of power and disregard for fundamental human rights to go unaddressed.
He further requested that the visa restriction be extended to members of Adejobi’s immediate family, as has been done in similar cases involving officials engaged in rights violations.
The letter read, “We are a public interest law firm committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law 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.
“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 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.
“Additionally, in December 2024, activist and nurse Olamide Thomas was arrested and detained at the instance of Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi after she posted a video on social media expressing her grievances against President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and ACP Adejobi himself.
“Her arrest and subsequent detention have been viewed as a direct attack on freedom of expression and an example of the misuse of power to suppress dissent.
“Furthermore, Destiny Ekhorutomwem, a TikToker, was arrested and detained by the Nigerian police for cyberbullying and cyberstalking under the orders of ACP Adejobi.
“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. His medical records indicate that he has been battling severe health conditions, yet Adejobi has refused to grant him necessary medical care.
“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 (+234 912 468 6568), 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.
“In addition to his crackdown on free speech, ACP Adejobi has continued to defend and enable police brutality in Nigeria.
“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.
“His persistent refusal to hold officers accountable has fostered a culture of impunity within the Nigeria Police Force, where human rights violations are met with silence or outright endorsement.
“These public statements demonstrate ACP Adejobi’s opposition to free speech, a core democratic value upheld by the United States. His position encourages authoritarian policing and suppresses dissent, contributing to an environment of fear and intimidation in Nigeria.
“In some of these cases, I personally intervened and appealed for their release, but Adejobi outrightly told me that he would not release them and that they would be punished. This blatant abuse of power and disregard for fundamental human rights should not go unaddressed.
“Given these serious concerns, we urge the United States to consider imposing a visa ban on ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi to deter further human rights abuses.
“We also request that this visa restriction be extended to members of his immediate family, as has been done in similar cases involving officials engaged in rights violations.
“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.
“Attached are the documents related to our claims for your review. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.”
