IPC’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), Lagos-Nigeria has demanded immediate release of Globalupfront Editor-in-Chief, Madu Onuorah.
Onourah was whisked away by men of the Nigerian Police Force at about 6p.m on Wednesday May 22, 2024, at his residence in Lugbe, FCT Abuja.
IPC in a statement issued and signed by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, observed that, “About ten fully-armed policemen stormed his residence in Lugbe, Abuja, in two Sienna buses.”
“He was arrested in the presence of his wife and children who fruitlessly demanded from the police why they were arresting the head of the family. He was not even allowed to contact his lawyer or any of his relations before he was whisked away to the Lugbe police station.”
The statement quoted IPC’s Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade as saying: “The media once again is under attack. The rate at which journalists and media practitioners are being arrested is alarming and should be of serious concern to all.”
“Anybody who has an issue against Madu Onuorah should approach the court of justice and not use the Police to unlawfully infringe his fundamental rights,” he further stated.
The statement called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Madu Onuorah, who at the time of drafting this statement has neither been released nor charged to court.
I-CSPJ in the statement called on other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for a free press in Nigeria.
