Cyberbullying Allegation: DSS Detains Journalist After NUPRC Corruption Campaign
Arrest Sparks Controversy
THE arrest of Delta-born journalist and Niger Delta activist, Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) has sparked controversy and concern among civil society groups and rights advocates.
Ekpokpobe was reportedly arrested in Abuja on 4 February alongside his lawyer, Onyishi Chukwuemeka, over allegations of cyberbullying allegedly arising from his anti-corruption activities.
As of press time, the DSS had not publicly disclosed the nature of the allegations or confirmed the legal basis for the detention.
Anti-Corruption Advocacy Under Scrutiny
Ekpokpobe is known for organising protests and advocacy campaigns against alleged corruption within government agencies and among public officials.
His latest activism involved convening a coalition of civil society organisations that called for a comprehensive investigation into the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), accusing its former leadership of large-scale financial and regulatory misconduct.
The coalition’s campaign reportedly contributed to heightened public scrutiny that preceded the removal of former NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe.
Details of the Allegations
The coalition accused the former NUPRC leadership of concealing and misrepresenting oil and gas assets, including multiple Oil Mining Leases and Oil Prospecting Licences, allegedly classified as non-producing to suppress revenue inflows.
According to the group, these actions allegedly resulted in losses exceeding $20 billion in crude oil revenue, gas monetisation, royalties, and taxes at a time of severe fiscal strain for the country.
Additional allegations included unlawful reduction of oil block acreage and the disappearance of petroleum-bearing areas, which the coalition said deprived the Federation of billions of dollars.
Detention Without Access Raises Alarm
Sources close to Ekpokpobe allege that he has been held without access to his family or legal counsel since his arrest, describing the situation as a violation of his fundamental rights.
Seven days after his arrest, neither Ekpokpobe nor his lawyer had reportedly been granted access to a phone call or formally informed of the charges against them.
Family members say they have received no official confirmation of his condition or whereabouts, relying instead on unverified assurances from intermediaries.
Growing Calls for Accountability
The development has reignited debate around the use of cyberbullying allegations against activists and journalists, as well as the responsibilities of security agencies to uphold due process.
Supporters and relatives of Ekpokpobe have called on the DSS to either release him and his lawyer immediately or transfer the matter to the police for prosecution in accordance with the law.
Until an official statement is issued, questions continue to mount over the legality of the arrest and the broader implications for civic activism and press freedom in Nigeria.
