Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has accused the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, of using his position to intimidate citizens and suppress freedom of speech.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Adeyanju alleged that Adejobi was abusing his office by unlawfully detaining individuals who criticize the police.
“Nigerians must be mindful of who Muyiwa Adejobi is. He thinks the Police PRO’s work is about surfing the internet and arresting people who criticize the police,” Adeyanju stated. “He believes the role is about jailing individuals, especially those who call for accountability within the police force.”
Adeyanju further claimed that Adejobi was behind the arrest of a client from his legal firm over a social media post concerning the abduction of the wife of former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu. The woman was kidnapped at her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State on January 16.
“Our client has been in custody for 10 days on Adejobi’s instruction. His parents went to see and plead with Adejobi, but they were humiliated,” he alleged. “It was also alleged that three officers who allowed the parents access to their detained son were locked up on Adejobi’s orders.”
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The activist condemned Adejobi’s actions, questioning how his conduct aligns with democratic principles.
“Who does he think he is? Is this how we promote accountability in government? Is this what policing should be about?” he asked. “He is turning the Force PRO office into a chaotic space, as though it were a street fight in Oshodi where people resolve issues with fists.”
Adeyanju vowed to take legal action against Adejobi to deter others in the police force from similar actions.
“We are taking decisive legal and constitutional steps against him to serve as a deterrent to others in the police force who victimize and witch-hunt citizens. Muyiwa Adejobi is guilty of suppressing citizens’ rights and freedom of speech in Nigeria,” he declared.
He also warned the Nigerian Police Cybercrime Centre against exceeding its legal authority, saying its role should focus on tackling internet fraud and cybercriminals, not silencing critics of the police or government.
“This is also to serve a serious note of warning to the cybercrime centre of the Nigerian police that the work of the cyber centre is not to be arresting people who are opposing or criticizing the government or calling for accountability. Their work is to go after internet fraud and cybercriminals,” he said.
Adeyanju urged Nigerians to resist what he described as an attack on free speech, warning that allowing individuals like Adejobi to act unchecked could shrink civic space and endanger democracy.
“People like Muyiwa must be stopped by citizens, or else they will continue to diminish free speech and put our democracy at risk,” he warned.