A human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has accused the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, of allegedly abusing his office by suppressing free speech and unlawfully detaining citizens who criticise the police.

Adeyanju alleged that Adejobi has turned his role into a tool for intimidation rather than public relations.

The activist stated this In a video which went viral on Wednesday.

?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 criticise the police.

?He believes the role is about jailing individuals, especially those who call for accountability within the police force,? he stated.

The activist further accused Adejobi of ordering the arrest of a client of his legal firm for making a social media post about the abduction of the wife of a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who was abducted 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 subjected to humiliation.

?It was also alleged that three officers who allowed the parents access to their detained son were locked up on Adejobi?s orders,? Adeyanju alleged.

Expressing outrage, Adeyanju questioned Adejobi?s conduct and its implications for democracy, saying, ?Who does he think he is? Is this how we promote accountability in government? Is this what policing should be about?

?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.?

He vowed to take legal action against Adejobi, stating, ?We are taking decisive legal and constitutional steps against him to serve as a deterrent to others in the police force who victimise and witch-hunt citizens. Muyiwa Adejobi is guilty of suppressing citizens? rights and freedom of speech in Nigeria.?

He also warned the Nigerian Police Cybercrime Centre against overstepping its mandate.

Adeyanju emphasised, ?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 criticising the government or people who are criticising the police authority or who are criticising and calling for accountability. Their work is to go after internet fraud and cybercriminals.?

He called on citizens to resist individuals like Adejobi, warning that if left unchecked, they 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.

Efforts made to get the reaction of the FPRO were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Calls made to his telephone line were not answered.

He has also not responded to a text message sent to him on the matter. (The PUNCH)

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