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Sowore Blasts Adekunle Gold Over Alleged Jailing of X User for False Claims

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Promise Odejide

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Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised singer Adekunle Gold over reports that a social media user was allegedly imprisoned for making false claims about the musician and his family online.

Sowore made the remarks during a viral interview while reacting to reports that the individual had spent more than two years in prison over comments posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“That’s Not How To Handle False Stories”

Speaking during the interview, Sowore argued that celebrities and public figures should learn to ignore false rumours instead of allegedly using security agencies and the justice system against online critics.

“How dare Adekunle Gold, after getting some little money and fame, send somebody to jail for two years for writing something we all know is not true?” he said.

The activist added that false rumours are common for public figures and should not automatically result in criminal prosecution.

“Yesterday people were calling me that my wife and children had died in the US. I simply called them to confirm they were alive and moved on,” he added.

Sowore Speaks On Oppression

Sowore also linked the issue to what he described as a growing culture of oppression among influential Nigerians.

According to him, many Nigerians criticise abuse of power until they gain influence themselves.

“How can you sit down with police and prosecutors to jail someone for two and a half years because of three lines on Twitter?” he asked.

“Nigerians complain about oppression until they get small power, then they become worse.”

Debate Over Cybercrime Laws

The controversy has reignited conversations around cybercrime laws, online speech and the arrest of social media users over controversial or defamatory posts.

The issue has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians defending the rights of celebrities to seek legal redress, while others argue that criminal prosecution over social media comments may be excessive.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Simi nor Adekunle Gold had publicly responded to Sowore’s comments.

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