Human rights activist and Abuja-based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has raised the alarm over what he described as the “continued weaponisation of the Nigerian Police Force against critics”, warning that the trend represented a dangerous assault on freedom of expression in the country.
Adeyanju, in a terse statement on Thursday sent to LEADERSHIP, claimed that Nigerians were increasingly being persecuted simply for speaking truth to power.
“The continued weaponisation of the Nigerian Police Force against critics represents a dangerous assault on freedom of expression, with citizens increasingly persecuted for speaking truth to power,” Adeyanju said.
“Never in our history has freedom of speech come under such violent and coordinated attacks as we are witnessing today.”
His remarks came against the backdrop of the recent arraignment of a former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch in Imo State, Chinedu Agu, by the State Police Command. Agu was charged with defamation and incitement over Facebook posts critical of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration.
According to police prosecutors, Agu’s posts allegedly amounted to false publication and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. He was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Owerri earlier this week, sparking outrage among civil society groups who view the case as part of a broader pattern of silencing dissenting voices.
Observers said the development underscored growing fears about shrinking civic space in Nigeria, where journalists, activists, and opposition figures have repeatedly raised concerns about harassment, intimidation, and the use of state security agencies to muzzle free speech.
