Prominent lawyer Inibehe Effiong has accused the Lagos State Police Command of unlawfully arresting and detaining comedian and content creator Okpe Kingsley Adegwu. The arrest was allegedly made due to Adegwu carrying a placard that read, "Nigerians Suffering Is Too Much. Tinubu Do Something."
In a statement posted on his X account, Effiong detailed that Adegwu was apprehended on Sunday afternoon while walking along Ikate, a locality in Lagos. Since then, he has been held at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters, CP Special Squad 1. Effiong claims the police plan to detain Adegwu until the conclusion of the nationwide protest slated to begin on August 1.
"We have been alerted that Mr. Okpe Kingsley Adegwu, a comedian and online content creator, was arrested on Sunday afternoon (July 28, 2024) at Ikate, Elegushi gate by the police. He was arrested while walking and carrying a placard with the inscription: 'Nigerians Suffering Is Too Much. Tinubu Do Something.' He has been in custody since Sunday," Effiong stated.
Effiong's statement comes in stark contrast to recent assurances by the Inspector General of Police, who, during a meeting, insisted that no peaceful protester had been arrested, dismissing contrary reports as "fake news."
Effiong is urging police authorities to release Adegwu immediately, describing his continued detention as both "unacceptable and illegal." He also mentioned that a member of their pro bono legal team is currently at the Lagos State Police Command to address the situation.
