By Queen Kunde
A Lagos-based human rights group, Creating Awareness for Justice, has strongly condemned the mounting criticism against the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC), describing the attacks as “uninformed” and driven by celebrity theatrics rather than facts.
The group’s spokesman, Taye Sijuade, in a statement issued yesterday, described a recent petition filed by Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, against the Center’s leadership as “headline-grabbing drama” aimed at discrediting the Commissioner of Police in charge, CP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, a man the group called a reformer “paying the price for integrity.”
The actress had, through her lawyers, petitioned the police authorities on July 29, 2025, accusing CP Uche of unprofessional conduct by allegedly allowing controversial social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, access to her private interrogation session in Abuja. She further alleged that details of the questioning were leaked online, constituting a breach of her rights and compromising the integrity of the investigation.
Iyabo Ojo, who is a witness in a separate case where VeryDarkMan is reportedly a defendant, is calling for the case to be moved from Abuja to Lagos, citing bias and procedural lapses.
But the rights group pushed back, urging the public to look beyond the headlines and consider CP Uche’s track record.
“Since taking over the NPF-NCC, CP Uche has transformed the unit into one of the most efficient and transparent arms of the Nigerian Police,” Sijuade stated. “He has rebuilt public trust in cybercrime investigations, deployed cutting-edge forensics tools, and led over 3,000 case resolutions involving scams, identity theft, and online harassment.”
The group highlighted CP Uche’s efforts in clamping down on both online fraud syndicates and rogue officers within the force, earning him both allies and enemies. His leadership, they said, has brought order to a space once mired in delays and inefficiencies.
While acknowledging that all complaints, including Iyabo Ojo’s, deserve fair investigation, the group questioned the motives behind the petition.
“Is this about a breach of procedure or discomfort with a case no longer shaped by her narrative?” the statement asked.
They also cited legal experts who noted that while it is unusual, civilians can be present during certain interrogations when their cases are materially connected. Internal sources reportedly confirmed that CP Uche does not micromanage interview room access, which is handled by other supervising officers in the decentralized structure.
“CP Uche’s reformist stance has unsettled many, but his results speak volumes. He’s not perfect, but he’s a force for good in an institution that desperately needs credibility,” Sijuade added.
The group warned against reducing years of progress in digital policing to a single, unproven celebrity allegation.
“Justice should not be determined by popularity or social media trends. If fairness is our standard, then we must not allow a reputation to be wrecked by drama,” the statement concluded. “The fight for justice doesn’t begin — or end — on Instagram.”
As investigations into the matter continue, public opinion remains sharply divided. But for many victims of digital crime, the legacy of CP Uche may mean the difference between justice delayed or finally delivered.
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