Over alleged online harassment, petition police
Justice campaigners seeking accountability over the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, have called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate alleged cyberbullying targeting members of their group.
The Coalition of Justice Advocates (CJA), in partnership with Olori Ebi Platform Worldwide, made the call during a briefing with journalists in Lagos, where they condemned alleged acts of defamation and unlawful processing of personal data directed at their members and their families.
The groups accused a Germany-based TikToker, Mrs. Comfort Ilesanmi, popularly known as Comfy, of allegedly orchestrating the cyberbullying through multiple monetised social media accounts.
According to the coalition, its members had been actively campaigning for justice following Mohbad’s death when the alleged online harassment began.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Mr. Kayode Adebiyi said members of the group had acted within the law while supporting efforts to sustain public attention on the late singer’s case.
He said the coalition had provided financial, moral and social support to maintain public interest in the pursuit of justice.
“We, as a group fighting for justice for Mohbad, recognise the responsibility we all share—institutions, professionals and citizens alike—to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done,” he said.
Adebiyi alleged that the TikToker, who is based in Düsseldorf, Germany, had engaged in sustained acts of cyberbullying, defamation and unlawful processing of personal data against members of the coalition.
According to him, several social media accounts allegedly operated by the individual were used to manipulate images of members and circulate them online.
“There are several social media handles allegedly used by this woman to bully our members by cropping their images into coffins and writing ‘RIP’ on their pictures,” he said.
“Our grievances arise from a disturbing pattern of online conduct targeting advocates for justice and their families, including minors.”
He further alleged that the actions had caused reputational damage, created fear for personal safety and inflicted emotional distress on affected members.
According to Adebiyi, false claims had also been circulated across social media platforms accusing members of wrongdoing.
“This started in September 2023 after Mohbad’s death. She has gone as far as alleging assassination plots without evidence and circulating photographs of our members and their children without consent,” he added.
The coalition therefore urged the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to launch a formal investigation, preserve digital evidence and collaborate with Interpol, German authorities and relevant data protection regulators.
“We urge the FCID to open a formal investigation, preserve digital evidence and collaborate with Interpol, German authorities and data protection regulators to bring the matter to justice,” Adebiyi said.
Also speaking, the legal representative of the groups, Mr. Emmanuel Oroko, disclosed that a petition had already been submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
Oroko said the legal team was optimistic that the police would act promptly once the petition receives the necessary approval.
He added that additional petitions were being prepared for other institutions, including the German Embassy, while relevant legal departments were also being notified.
According to him, the alleged offences contravene several Nigerian laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, provisions of the Criminal and Penal Codes on defamation, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act.
Some members of Olori Ebi Platform Worldwide also shared their experiences of alleged cyberbullying.Mrs. Funmilola Alade recounted how her photograph was allegedly edited into the image of a coffin with the inscription “RIP”.
“I joined this cause in September 2023 to seek justice for Mohbad because I am a resident of Ikorodu,” she said.
“I started receiving calls from different people asking if I was really dead because this woman placed my picture in a coffin, wrote ‘RIP’ on it and sang burial songs on her TikTok page.”
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