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Alleged Cyberbully: DSS Arrest Delta-Born Journalist Iteveh Over Corruption Investigation
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Delta-born journalist and Niger Delta activist, Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe, in Abuja over allegations of cyberbullying linked to his anti-corruption campaigns.
Ekpokpobe and his lawyer, Onyishi Chukwuemeka, were reportedly arrested on February 4 in the Federal Capital Territory. Sources allege the arrest followed complaints connected to the recently sacked Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe.
According to an associate who spoke on condition of anonymity, the arrest may be tied to Ekpokpobe’s role in organising anti-corruption protests and convening a coalition of civil society groups that demanded a probe of the NUPRC.
“Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe, is a Pan Niger Delta Activist and anti-corruption crusader had before now organised anti-corruption protests against corrupt individuals and government officials in and outside Abuja. But his current arrest and detention by the DSS in Abuja has to do with a recent intensive calls for the probe of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations convened by Iteveh Nurudeen Ekpokpobe.
“The calls actually led to the eventual sacking of Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, (NUPRO), Gbenga Komolafe followed with the appointment of Ms Oritsemuyiwa Eyesan as the new Chief Executive of the NUPRC.
“The erstwhile commission chief executive, Komolafe was accused of perpetuating disturbing patterns of corruption, regulatory abuse, asset manipulation, and revenue concealment within the NUPRC during his tenure. The coalition said these actions allegedly deprived the Federation of monumental revenues at a time of severe fiscal constraints. Among the allegations outlined were claims of deliberate misrepresentation and concealment of producing oil and gas assets, including Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 119, 129, 113, and 31, as well as Oil Prospecting Licences (OPLs) 2005 and 2006.
“The coalition alleged that these assets were officially classified as non-existent or non-producing, resulting in estimated revenue losses exceeding $20billion from crude oil sales, gas monetisation, royalties, and taxes. Fraudulent manipulation involving OPL 227 and OML 146, claiming that acreage was unlawfully reduced without due process, leading to the disappearance of substantial petroleum-bearing areas. Similar allegations were raised concerning OMLs 33, 46, and 74, where the coalition claimed that significant portions of acreage were concealed, allegedly costing the Federation billions of dollars in potential revenue.
“Since his arrest, he has been held incommunicado, with no official confirmation of his condition or whereabouts. His counsels who sought to represent him, have been denied access, despite repeated requests. Seven days after the arrest, the DSS has refused to grant him access to a phone call or allow him meet with his lawyers. As a result, his family and associates remain in the dark, relying only on unverified assurances that he is okay, with no independent confirmation of whether he is alive or well. The cyber bullying is the allegation filled by Gbenga Komolafe, former Chief Executive of NUPRO, who is using his influence and friendship to the DG of DSS to keep the activist detained.
“While we condemn in its entirety the illegal arrest and detention of Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe and his lawyer, Onyishi Chukwuemeka. We are calling on the DSS to without any further delay release them unconditionally or better still hand them over to the police authority empowered to prosecute cyber bullying to charge them to court,” the source stated.
Family members of Ekpokpobe and his lawyer have also condemned the arrest, describing it as illegal and demanding their immediate release.
As of press time, the DSS has not issued an official public statement detailing the circumstances of the arrest or the specific charges.
The development has sparked debate over alleged cyberbullying, due process, and the rights of activists involved in anti-corruption advocacy.
