A human rights advocate, Marshal Abubakar, has called for the removal of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of human rights activist and public affairs commentator Onwuka Chimezie, popularly known as Mezie.
Abubakar, in a statement dated September 7, 2026, alleged that Mezie was arrested by officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Rivers State Police Command on Friday, September 4, at about 3pm, at the alleged instance of the police commissioner.
According to him, the activist was arrested over his comments concerning allegations of land grabbing and alleged support for land grabbers made against Adewole.
Abubakar alleged that Mezie was subsequently transported by road from Abuja towards Port Harcourt, although the journey was aborted in Enugu.
He described the arrest and attempted transportation as a violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act 2020 and Police Regulations 2025, as well as international human rights instruments.
Citing the judgment in Isenalumhe v. Amasu & 3 Ors. (2001) 1 CHR 458, Abubakar said the police had a responsibility to protect citizens' liberty and dignity.
He quoted the court as stating: “The police have the responsibility to enhance the quality of the liberty and dignity of the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as guaranteed by the Constitution.”
Abubakar also cited the Supreme Court's comments on police brutality in State v. Rabiu (2013) 8 NWLR, quoting the court as saying: “The duty of the police is to curb crime to safeguard lives and property.”
He further quoted the judgment as stating that it appeared some police officers “now compete with criminals in the commission of the very crimes they should check.”
According to Abubakar, police powers should not be used to settle personal scores, arguing that public officials must be prepared to face scrutiny and criticism.
He also cited Regulation 169 of the Police Regulations, which provides that a police officer shall not conduct himself in a manner that brings his private interests into conflict with his public duties or creates reasonable suspicion that private interests influenced the discharge of official duties.
He further referenced Regulation 170, which requires police officers to “respect the human rights and dignity of a person in custody.”
Abubakar alleged that the treatment of Mezie amounted to torture and violated provisions of Nigerian law as well as international human rights instruments.
He called for “immediate disciplinary action” against Adewole and the officers involved in the alleged arrest and transportation of Mezie.
“We equally demand an immediate and unconditional release of Mezie from unlawful custody,” he said.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, on her mobile phone failed, as she neither answered calls nor replied to a message sent to her.
Rivers, Nigeria
