MRA Slams Police Summons Over FOI Request, Alleges Abuse of Power

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the decision of the Delta State Police Command to summon a civil society activist over a request made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, describing the move as a misuse of power and an attempt to intimidate a citizen exercising his legal rights.
The group criticised the invitation issued to Comrade Victor Ojie, leader of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNRO), directing him to report to the State Intelligence Department (SID) in Asaba. The summons followed an FOI request submitted by the organisation 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.
According to MRA, instead of responding to the request within the seven-day timeframe stipulated by the FOI Act or lawfully declining it on legitimate grounds, the Ministry allegedly involved the police, leading to the issuance of a formal invitation to the activist.
In a letter dated March 3, 2026, and signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ojokoh Julius, the Second-in-Command of the SID, Comrade Ojie was directed to meet with the Assistant Commissioner of Police, SID, on March 9, 2026, over the subject of his FOI request. He was also instructed to contact ASP Njoku Belden upon arrival to facilitate the meeting.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, MRA described the development as “deeply troubling,” accusing the police of turning a lawful civil request into a criminal matter.
“The FOI Act grants every person the right to access information from public institutions without having to demonstrate any specific interest,” Longe said, citing Section 1(2) of the Act. He argued that there was no legal basis for subjecting the activist to interrogation over the request.
MRA further noted that the Act clearly outlines procedures for denying information requests and does not provide for police involvement as part of that process. The organisation warned that such actions could discourage citizens from exercising their rights under the law.
The group called on the Delta State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately withdraw the summons and ensure that neither Comrade Ojie nor any YNRO official faces further harassment.
MRA also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, stressing his statutory responsibility to oversee the implementation of the FOI Act and ensure that public institutions comply with its provisions.
The organisation maintained that wrongful denial of access to information constitutes an offence under the Act and insisted that law enforcement agencies must uphold, rather than undermine, citizens’ constitutional rights.