Nigerian blogger Destiny Ekhorutomwem, who was arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police Force for alleged cyberbullying and cyberstalking, has applied for a variation of his bail conditions.
The police had initially set what many, including legal experts, described as an unreasonable bail requirement, demanding that he provide four sureties with assets valued at N2 billion as part of his administrative bail.
Ekhorutomwem, 38, was apprehended on January 8, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State, and subsequently transferred to Abuja on Friday, January 10. Following this, his lawyers—Chisom E. Ekwevi Esq., Dr. S.M. Oyeghe Esq., and Chukwumeka Franklin Amaechina Esq.—submitted a letter dated January 14, 2025, to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting a review of the bail conditions.
The letter stated: “We have received the police administrative bail condition from our client on the 10th of January 2025. However, our client has been unable to meet up with its conditions.
“We therefore apply for variations of the conditions to the most liberal terms. The family members of this suspect are also willing to take him on bail.
“The continuous detention of Mr. Destiny will negatively impact his health as he is being managed for complicated Appendectomy (Appendix surgery) that lead to a Laparatomy overhaul of the abdominal content) and was just diagnosed with Nephrolithiasis (kidney stone), hence he is in dire need of medical attention.”
Attached to the letter was Ekhorutomwem’s medical record from Lily Hospitals, signed by Consultant General Surgeon Dr. Eghonghon Raymond on January 14, 2025. The report detailed his ongoing health issues, stating that he initially visited the hospital on November 25, 2021, with symptoms of abdominal pain, colic, constipation, and abdominal distension post-appendectomy.
The medical report added: “Plain abdominal X-ray showed dilated bowel loops. A diagnosis of intestinal obstruction due to post-operative adhesions was made.
“He had an EX-Lap with hemicolectomy and ileotransverse anastomosis. He was managed post-operatively for 15 days and was subsequently discharged. And has been coming for reviews by the general surgeon but was further referred to see the nephrologist after a scan showed that he has hydronephrosis.
“The last visit to general surgeon was 6th May 2022. A diagnosis of RT hydronephrosis secondary to Pureteral/renal calculus after abdomino-pelvic scan was done, he was then requested to do e/u/cr, serum calcium and uric acid, phosphorus and abdominal x-ray-KUB, patient did all investigation except abdominal x-ray.
“He then represented 23rd Oct 2024 with complain of recurrent right flanks pains for 2 years duration and dyspepsia which he was managed accordingly. He revisited on the 30th Oct 2024 for lab result review and the uric acid was slightly elevated and E/U/Cr was essentially normal. He was managed on appropriate medications.”
Dr. Eghonghon concluded the report by stating: “In view of the above clinical background kindly grant him the necessary assistance.”
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Earlier on January 10, 2025, the police had granted the TikToker bail with stringent conditions. A document detailing these conditions read: “That you are to produce two (2) sureties whom must be: Two Federal Government employees of not less than Grade level 16, who have landed properties in Abuja worth Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) each, who are also ready to produce letters of introduction from their organizations and make available copies of (a) Original documents of the said property (b) Letter of first appointment (c) Letter of last promotion (d) Office identity card and (e) the original documents for sighting.
“Two Businessmen who own (a) business entity registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (b) landed properties within FCT, Abuja worth Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) and (c) ready to make available copies of their CAC certificates, C of O of their landed properties and (d) the original documents for sighting.”
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Ekhorutomwem collapsed in police custody and was subsequently hospitalized at the National Hospital in Abuja. Sources revealed that he fell into a coma before being rushed to the medical facility.
It has been alleged that his arrest was orchestrated by the Force Public Relation ccs Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi. Sahara Reporters previously reported on this, sharing details of the incident.
According to the police, Ekhorutomwem was arrested for allegedly using social media platforms to spread false and inciting content aimed at damaging the reputation of the police and provoking public unrest. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, explained that his arrest was carried out by the National Cyber Crime Centre in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
“On 8 December 2024, operatives of the Force apprehended Destiny Ekhorutomwen, a 38-year-old suspect, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
“The suspect allegedly created and operated multiple social media accounts to spread false and inciting content designed to provoke the public against the Nigeria Police,” Adejobi had stated.
In response, Omoyele Sowore, a well-known activist and former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 General Elections, condemned the arrest. He called on Nigerians to stand against police impunity and urged the influencer’s family to reach out to him for assistance.
“The @PoliceNG has held this TikToker for days, if not weeks, claiming he was spreading fake news; please, if you have his family contact, kindly let us know,” Sowore stated.
“We must end this impunity of @policeng subterranean suppression of free speech using illegal tactics and draconian laws.
