Destiny Ekhorutomwen, a TikToker arrested and detained by the Nigerian police for cyberbullying and cyberstalking, has been hospitalised after collapsing in custody.
Ekhorutomwem, 38, was arrested on January 8, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State, and transferred to Abuja on Friday, January 10, where he was given bail conditions that have been described by many people including lawyers as ridiculous and unreasonable.
The Nigeria Police Force demanded that Ekhorutomwem provide four sureties with assets valued at N2 billion as part of his administrative bail.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learned that the TikToker’s arrest was orchestrated by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
SaharaReporters learned on Saturday that he went into a coma and was rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja.
Meanwhile, a copy of his medical report from Lily Hospitals signed by the Consultant General Surgeon, Dr Eghonghon Raymond on January 14, 2025, said Ekhorutomwem detailed the health conditions the TikToker had been battling with before his arresta and detention.
Dr Eghonghon said he came to the hospital on “25th Nov 2021 with abdominal pains which was colicky and intermitted, constipation and abdominal distension post appendectomy”.
The report further reads, “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 15days 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 2years 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.”
“In view of the above clinical background kindly grant him the necessary assistance,” Dr Eghonghon adds.
Earlier in January, the police said Ekhorutomwen was arrested for allegedly using social media platforms to spread false and inciting content intended to damage the reputation of the police and provoke public discontent.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi in a statement on Friday, had stated that the arrest was made by the National Cyber Crime Centre in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
“On 8 December 2024, operatives of the Force apprehended Destiny Ekhorutomuen, 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 said.
Reacting, Sowore, a long-time advocate for justice and former presidential candidate for African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 General Elections, condemned the arrest.
He asked Nigerians to end police impunity while calling for family members of the social media influencer to contact him.
“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.
“We must end this impunity of @policeng subterranean suppression of free speech using illegal tactics and draconian laws. #RevolutionNow.”
