Dr. Fabian Ihekweme, a former commissioner and outspoken critic of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force. The arrest took place at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, shocking his family, who witnessed the event.
According to reports, Ihekweme was forcibly taken in the presence of his wife and children before being transported to Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Renowned human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, disclosed the details of the arrest in a tweet on Thursday. He criticized the action, framing it as a blatant attack on free speech.
“Dr Fabian Ihekweme, a critic, was abducted by policemen yesterday in front of his wife and children in their Abuja home and taken to Owerri. His crime: criticizing Hope Uzodinma, Imo State Governor,” Adeyanju tweeted.
Adeyanju further condemned what he described as the governor's growing intolerance for dissent. In a scathing comment, he likened Uzodinma’s alleged behavior to the controversial tendencies of Nigerian artist Burna Boy. “Like Uzodinma, like Burna Boy,” he added, referencing both figures' perceived aversion to criticism.
Ihekweme's arrest has sparked widespread criticism, with many viewing it as another instance of the suppression of free expression in Nigeria. As the situation unfolds, rights groups and concerned citizens are calling for accountability and the protection of democratic freedoms.
