The Nigeria Police Force has filed fresh criminal charges at the Federal High Court against Ifechukwu Dennis, the young man accused of creating an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated voice recording allegedly impersonating President Bola Tinubu, just hours after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The fresh prosecution comes after Dennis regained his freedom following months in police detention and subsequent incarceration at the Kuje Correctional Centre over the alleged circulation of an AI-generated voice note purportedly mimicking President Tinubu.
The development was disclosed on Monday by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his verified X account.
According to Sowore, Dennis was released through the efforts of human rights lawyer, Prince Wayne Chikeze, who secured his freedom during court proceedings attended by members of the Take It Back Movement and other supporters.
“We were present in court to witness it, and we’ve since confirmed that he’s rejoined his family,” Sowore wrote.
However, Sowore alleged that the Nigeria Police Force has now initiated a fresh case against Dennis before the Federal High Court, describing the move as a continuation of what he termed an “oppressive campaign of persecution.”
“This fight is far from over. We will continue to challenge these charges and stand with him until he is completely free from what we believe to be an oppressive campaign of persecution,” he stated.
Sowore further argued that rather than criminalising young Nigerians exploring emerging technologies, authorities should create an environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
“Nigeria’s young people need opportunities to learn, innovate, create, and flourish, not incarceration and endless prosecution,” he added.
Although the details of the fresh charges were not immediately disclosed, the latest legal action signals that the case against Dennis remains active despite his release from custody.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement outlining the specific offences contained in the fresh Federal High Court charge or the reasons for instituting a new case against Dennis.
The matter is expected to come up before the Federal High Court on a date to be communicated by the court.
