Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Akwa Ibom North-East Senator, Effiong Dickson Bob, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the arrest of Ewa Okpo, a legal practitioner popularly known as 'Street Lawyer' and the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State. Bob insisted at a press conference on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, that he was well within his legal rights to petition the police over what he described as defamatory statements made against him on social media, dismissing suggestions that the move was politically motivated or aimed at silencing opposition.
The dispute erupted after Okpo released a video on Facebook accusing Bob of promoting "stomach infrastructure politics" and describing him as the godfather of "political craftiness". Bob, a lawyer called to the Bar in 1984, took offence to the remarks and subsequently filed a petition with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command on June 17, 2026. The petition alleged criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and other related offences. Bob defended his decision at the press conference, stating, "He defamed me. He opened Facebook for over one hour to talk about me. He said that I am a fraudster. He said I have never assisted anyone".
According to Bob, his public defence of Governor Umo Eno's administration was the root cause of the attack. He argued that public debate should centre on governance, verifiable facts, and policy matters, rather than targeting the private lives of public officials or their families. "My position was, and still is, nobody should attack the governor in his personal capacity. If government is not performing the way you like, you can criticize, but the criticism should be constructive and responsive to issues," he said. Despite not naming Okpo in his public statements, Bob claimed the lawyer singled him out for attacks on Facebook and other social media platforms, making unfounded allegations about his private affairs and businesses.
Responding to questions about why he did not pursue only a civil action, Bob maintained that the allegations could attract both civil and criminal liability. "It is both civil and criminal. I am a lawyer. I was called to the Bar in 1984. I am not stupid," he said. He added, "I have the right to report to the police. When I report, I didn't tell the police to go and arrest somebody. What the police do is left to them. My duty is to report by way of petition. I will not engage in a street fight because that is against the law".
The arrest of Ewa Okpo, which occurred on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, has sparked a fierce backlash from the Peoples Democratic Party. The party's Interim National Working Committee condemned the action, describing it as an attempt to intimidate political opponents and suppress freedom of speech. In a statement, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, argued that the matter was "ex facie civil in nature, not requiring the intervention of the police". The party has also set up a high-powered legal team to represent Okpo.
The police, however, have defended the arrest. The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, DSP Timfon John, stated that the arrest was carried out lawfully and in line with due process. She stressed that while Nigerians have the constitutional right to freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised within the boundaries of the law, warning that "social media is not a sanctuary for criminality". The police also noted that Okpo is currently assisting investigators as the inquiry continues.
For Bob, the matter is about protecting his reputation and upholding the law. "The question, why did you report to the police? It is my right. Where my right begins, his own stops. We can't just talk down on people, defaming the integrity of some people," he said.
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