Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized popular Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold over the reported imprisonment of a social media user accused of making false claims about the singer’s family.
The controversy erupted after a young man identified as Adeboye Samuel was reportedly sentenced to prison following an online post falsely claiming that Adekunle Gold’s daughter had died. The incident quickly sparked widespread reactions across Nigerian social media, with many users debating the limits of freedom of expression and the enforcement of cybercrime laws.
Reacting to the development, Sowore questioned why the singer would allegedly support legal action against the social media user while he himself was never arrested for controversial comments he made years ago against former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement shared online, Sowore said:
How dare Adekunle Gold send someone to jail because he has money? He did the same thing to Goodluck Jonathan, was he arrested?
Sowore referenced an old social media post allegedly made by Adekunle Gold during the 2012 fuel subsidy protests in Nigeria. In the resurfaced post, the singer reportedly made a controversial remark involving the late rapper Dagrin and then-President Jonathan.
The activist argued that freedom of speech should apply equally to everyone, regardless of social status or financial influence. He also criticized law enforcement authorities, accusing them of acting in favor of wealthy and influential individuals while ordinary Nigerians face harsh punishment for online statements.
