“Celebrities Using Police Like Private Bodyguards” — Sowore Blasts Simi, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr Over Critics’ Arrests
By Passman Akpos
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticized what he described as the dangerous misuse of police powers by celebrities and influential Nigerians, accusing some entertainers of turning law enforcement into “personal bodyguards” against online critics.
In a statement shared on Saturday under the #RevolutionNow banner, Sowore condemned the alleged involvement of celebrities such as Simi, Adekunle Gold, and Ayra Starr in disputes with social media users, where critics were reportedly arrested or threatened with prosecution over online comments.
Sowore described the trend as alarming, saying it was disturbing that entertainers who demand freedom of expression and artistic respect abroad would allegedly use the Nigerian police and judicial system to silence poor young Nigerians at home over jokes, banter, criticism, and social media trolling.
According to him, many ordinary Nigerians are now being dragged into police cases and prison threats under the guise of cybercrime simply because influential people feel offended online “The police must stop acting as private enforcers for the rich, connected, and powerful. Nigerians cannot continue to be shipped to prison because influential people are offended online,” Sowore stated.
He warned that criminalizing online speech and internet banter poses a major threat to democracy, constitutional rights, and freedom of expression in Nigeria, adding that both the police and sections of the judiciary must also take responsibility for enabling such abuse.
However, the debate intensified following reports that a Twitter user who allegedly posted a death wish against Adekunle Gold’s daughter was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
The controversy reportedly began after celebrity stylist Swanky Jerry shared a post alleging that the child had died and should “rest in peace,” sparking outrage online and prompting many Nigerians to defend the legal action.
Supporters of the sentence argued that falsely declaring a child dead online goes beyond harmless banter and enters the territory of emotional harassment and dangerous misinformation“Imagine being at home with your daughter and someone online is posting R.I.P. to your only child. Some people use social media without thinking,” one reaction read.
While some Nigerians agree with Sowore that celebrities should not weaponize police powers against critics, others insist there must be consequences for harmful online behavior, especially when it involves children, death wishes, or malicious falsehoods.
ÑThe controversy has reignited national conversations around cybercrime laws, responsible use of social media, celebrity influence, and the fine line between free speech and online abuse in Nigeria.
