The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the summons issued by the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, to Comrade Victor Ojie, leader of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNRO), over a request for public information made under the Freedom of Information Act.
The media rights group described the police action as an abuse of power and an attempt to intimidate a citizen for exercising his legal right to seek information from a government institution.
According to the organisation, the summons followed an FOI request submitted by YNRO to the Delta State Ministry of Lands and Survey, seeking access to petitions and records relating to land disputes in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
Rather than respond to the request within the seven day period stipulated by law or provide reasons for denying the request, the ministry allegedly contacted the police, which subsequently issued an invitation to Ojie to appear before the State Intelligence Department in Asaba.
In a letter dated March 3, 2026, with reference number CB:3422/SID/DTS/VOL 3/153, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ojokoh Julius, who serves as Second-in-Command at the State Intelligence Department, said he had been directed by the Commissioner of Police in Delta State to invite the activist to meet with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the department.
The letter asked Ojie to appear at the police office in Asaba on March 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., and instructed him to contact ASP Njoku Belden upon arrival to facilitate the meeting with the Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Reacting to the development, MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, described the move as deeply troubling and contrary to the provisions of the FOI Act.
“It is an alarming trend that the Nigeria Police Force, which is tasked with enforcing the law, has become the instrument for violating the rights of citizens under the law,” Longe said.
He noted that the FOI Act clearly grants every individual the legal right to access information held by public institutions and does not require applicants to justify their interest in the information requested.
“The FOI Act is a national law that grants every person a legal right to access information in the custody of any public institution. For the Delta State Police to treat a civil request for information made under the law as a criminal matter is a deeply troubling development,” he stated.
Longe also explained that the law already provides procedures for public institutions that intend to deny access to requested information, adding that issuing police invitations to the applicant is not one of the options permitted under the Act.
He warned that the summons could discourage citizens from demanding transparency and accountability from public institutions.
“This incident is a classic example of a culture of impunity within the Police.
“By summoning Comrade Ojie, the Delta State Police Command is sending a message that asking questions about land disputes or any other matter could be treated as a crime,” he said.
MRA therefore called on the Delta State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw the summons and ensure that Ojie and other officials of YNRO are not subjected to further harassment over the FOI request.
The organisation also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, noting that as the chief law officer of the federation and the official responsible for overseeing the implementation of the FOI Act, he has the authority to ensure that all public institutions comply with the law.