By Our Correspondent

National News – Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has demanded the immediate release of three bloggers arrested by the Nigeria Police Force over an alleged defamatory online report claiming that Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), had divorced his wife Awele.

The incident occurred in Nigeria and came to public attention on Monday, May 4, 2026, after Sowore reacted on Facebook, insisting that publishing such claims about a public figure’s marital status is not a criminal offence but a civil matter.

He argued that the arrests raise concerns about press freedom and digital expression, calling on authorities to respect constitutional rights.

The development follows a statement by UBA denying the viral claim and describing it as false, malicious, and intended to damage reputations.

The bank said it had alerted law enforcement agencies, which subsequently tracked and arrested three individuals allegedly linked to the creation and dissemination of the content.

UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, emphasized that the report was fabricated and misleading.

Sowore further criticized the arrest, arguing that even if the report were inaccurate, it should be addressed under civil defamation law rather than criminal detention.

He stated that treating online publication disputes as criminal offences could undermine press freedom in Nigeria and discourage investigative journalism.

He specifically called for the release of Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue, insisting that their detention was unnecessary and excessive.

His comments have intensified public debate on the balance between protecting reputations and safeguarding freedom of expression in the digital age.

The Nigeria Police Force has not issued a detailed public response beyond confirming enforcement actions linked to the case, while the matter continues to generate reactions across media and civil society groups.

Stakeholders are calling for clearer guidelines on the enforcement of cybercrime and defamation laws to avoid perceived abuse of power.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between reputational protection, corporate interests, and digital rights in Nigeria’s evolving information space.