Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The wife of Farouk Ozigi Onimisi, the activist and social commentator at the centre of a high-profile cyberstalking case in Kogi State, has raised urgent concerns over his deteriorating health, revealing that he is now awaiting surgery following complications that emerged during his detention. Ozigi, who was ordered to be remanded in police custody on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja, had previously disclosed that his existing Varicose Veins condition had worsened significantly during his earlier detention, and that doctors have recommended urgent medical intervention. The development has added a new layer of urgency to a case that has already drawn widespread condemnation from rights groups and opposition figures, who have accused the Kogi State Government of using security agencies to silence dissent.
Speaking after Wednesday's court proceedings, Ozigi confirmed that the prosecution had brought a one-count charge of cyberstalking against him, contrary to Section 436(1)(b) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019. The charge, dated May 4, 2026, accuses him of sending or causing to be sent statements on different social media platforms which prosecutors claim he knew to be false and which were directed against the Kogi State Accountant General, Hajia Habibat Onumoko. The prosecution alleged that the publications were intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill-will, or needless anxiety to the Accountant General. According to Ozigi, the prosecutor had sought his remand at the Federal Correctional Centre in Koton Karfe, but the trial judge declined the application, noting that judges would be proceeding on vacation next week. The judge instead exercised his discretion to fix the matter for hearing the following day and ordered that Ozigi remain in police custody. "I'm to be remanded again, for hearing tomorrow," Ozigi said.
The fresh proceedings come months after SaharaReporters reported that Ozigi's family alleged he had been abducted from his residence in Kubwa, Abuja, and taken to Lokoja under controversial circumstances. His relatives had claimed that the arrest followed a petition allegedly written by the Kogi State Accountant General, Onumoko, in connection with Governor Usman Ododo. According to the family, Ozigi was taken from his Abuja residence on April 24, 2026, and transported to Kogi State without any immediate explanation. His sister described the operation as an abuse of power, alleging that the family was initially unable to establish his whereabouts or communicate with him. The family also raised concerns over Ozigi's health, noting that he is asthmatic and depends on regular medication.
Ozigi himself has previously narrated how his alleged unlawful detention worsened his health condition, leaving him battling serious medical complications after spending days in custody. He disclosed that the harsh conditions he endured during detention severely aggravated an existing Varicose Veins condition on his left leg, a development he said may now require urgent surgery. According to him, his health deteriorated significantly while he remained in custody following his arrest in Abuja on April 25, 2026. He alleged that at some point during his detention, he was handcuffed inside a cell for more than 24 hours under harsh conditions, an experience he described as traumatic, painful and physically exhausting. He further disclosed that medical tests conducted after his release also showed that he tested positive for Hepatitis B, raising additional concerns about his worsening health condition since leaving detention.
Despite the allegations, Ozigi has maintained his innocence, insisting that he neither authored nor circulated the controversial voice note and publication allegedly tied to the matter. According to him, part of the allegations arose from a publication associated with a Vote of No Confidence concerning the office of the Accountant General of Kogi State, alongside a voice note he claimed was falsely attributed to him. He stated that although he repeatedly denied ownership of the voice note, it allegedly became part of the basis for his arrest and detention. The APC supporter said he remained shocked by the entire development, especially considering his long-standing support for the party and his consistent promotion of the Kogi State Government on social media and other public platforms.
His detention has attracted widespread public attention after activists, media platforms, public figures and concerned Nigerians began demanding fairness, due process and respect for his constitutional rights. Among those he mentioned were activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Amnesty International Nigeria, Tunde Ednut, Sahara Reporters and Mr. Common Sense. According to him, growing public concern over the matter eventually led to his arraignment before a court, where he was later granted bail under stringent conditions. He explained that the bail terms included either a ₦2 million bond or the provision of two Level 14 civil servants as sureties, alongside extensive documentation requirements.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress had earlier condemned what it described as the unlawful arrest and continued detention of Ozigi, describing the development as unlawful and a threat to democratic freedoms. The party alleged that he was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department under inhumane conditions, including solitary confinement and alleged torture. It also stated that he had been denied access to legal representation and family members and has not been formally charged in court, actions it said violate his fundamental human rights. The NDC called on the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Kogi State Command, to cease what it termed harassment and intimidation of opposition members. The party further warned the administration of Ahmed Usman Ododo to halt what it described as oppressive actions against political opponents or face legal challenges.
In an open letter published in June 2026, Ozigi expressed his pain over what he described as abandonment by those he had faithfully supported for years. "At times, I sit quietly and ask myself painful questions: Was there anything I ever collected from them that they now want me to repay in this manner?" he wrote. He revealed that he had previously planned to honour the Accountant General, Hajia Habibat Onumoko, as the Chief Launcher at his proposed book launch, scheduled for May 27, 2026, reflecting the level of goodwill and respect he had for her. He also noted that he had written a political campaign series in honor of former Governor Yahaya Bello, a project titled "The GYB in Me". "I never expected complete silence. I never imagined feeling abandoned at a time when my life, family, health, career, and future are under immense pressure," he wrote.
The matter has been adjourned until Thursday, July 16, 2026, for hearing. Ozigi remains in police custody pending the court's decision. His family has appealed to Nigerians, human rights organisations, the media and relevant authorities to intervene, demanding that he be granted access to medical care and treated in accordance with the law. For now, the activist awaits his next court appearance and, crucially, the surgery that doctors have recommended to address his worsening health condition.
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