By Okoi Obono-Obla
FREE SPEECH DOES NOT MEAN FREEDOM TO INSULT – THE DENNIS ODAMA CASE
I believe in free speech. I believe in freedom of expression. But no right is absolute.
In exercising our right to free speech, we must remember that others have the same right. Cyberstalking, cyberbullying, slander, and defamation are equally evil and condemnable. We must respect the rights and dignity of others, including those in government and those who hold opposing views.
My attention was drawn to a comment made by one Dennis Odama on the Facebook page of His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State. The Governor had made a post, and in response, Odama wrote: “That woman in the Sports Ministry, does she have your nude? Why not replace her with someone who can revive sports administration in the State?”
The comment was shocking, to say the least.
When news broke that Odama was picked up by detectives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos on 11th August, 2026, I was aghast. My initial reaction was that it was the usual way those in government intimidate and oppress those who say nasty things about them. I stridently condemned the arrest.
But later, when I saw what he actually wrote concerning the Governor, I had a rethink.
The assertion is stupid, outrageous, disrespectful, uncouth, coarse, uncultivated, and extremely rude. It smacks of bad manners and a complete lack of home training, grace, and elegance. It insinuates sexual impropriety and blackmail against both the Governor and a female public official without any shred of evidence.
What Odama wrote is not good, and it cannot be defended as legitimate criticism. We can demand better performance from the Ministry of Sports and call for a change in leadership if we are dissatisfied, but we must do so without resorting to vulgar sexual innuendo. His legitimate point about reviving sports administration was completely lost in vulgarity. Under our laws, such language could easily be construed as defamation and cyberbullying.
Nevertheless, as the elders of my community would say, one does not stare at the sour face of a snail, lest one becomes completely lost.
This is where balance must come in. Dennis Odama should tender an unreserved written apology to the Governor and the official in the Sports Ministry and learn to moderate and fine-tune his language. The right to criticize government is lawful and welcome, but it must be factual, civil, and focused on issues, not on crude personal attacks.
Upon tendering that unqualified apology, His Excellency the Governor should, in his characteristic large-heartedness, forgive him.
In conclusion, let us defend free speech while insisting on decency and responsibility. Criticism must be robust but respectful. Disagreement must never descend into abuse. That is how we build a civil, democratic, and decent society.
