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The Imo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, has, in all ramifications, condemned the bravado arrest and continued detention of an Owerri based popular presenter, Mr Theodore Chinonso Uba also known as Nonso Nkwa, and urgently called for his immediate release.
This was contained in a statement NUJ chairman, Precious Nwadike in Owerri on Tuesday.
Nonso Nkwa was arrested on Thursday, July 27, 2023, about 11:00 hours at the ever boisterous Control terminal otherwise known as Assumpta Gate, on his way home after he had anchored his Igbo morning programme at the Ozisa FM radio station, owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.
The NUJ’s chairman in Imo State, Comrade Precious Nwadike noted that assuming but not conceding that the Radio presenter defamed the governor or government of Imo State as stated in a release signed by Mr Declan Emelumba,the Commissioner of Information and strategy, it won’t be out of place to state that the right thing to do is to charge him to court.
The statement reads “We, as professionals are not in any way averse to the interrogation of any citizen, or even his/her arrest and prosecution, irrespective of his/her social status, faith,race, political inclination, for the purposes of investigating any petition or allegation brought forward against such a citizen and whatever grounds by security agencies or any other relevant bodies for the sake of security, orderliness and tranquility.
“Rather, we roundly condemn and vehemently frown at the unprofessional and undemocratic ways some security agencies usually carry out this all important, critical and very sensitive assignment of interrogation and investigation of alleged crime or offence, and that was what ultimately played out in the case of Nonso Nkwa.
“Eyewitness accounts have informed the Imo NUJ that the popular presenter was arrested in a manner that was entirely condemnable as it was completely devoid of any element of professionalism, decency and discipline required in a democratic setting.
“Thus, the issue at hand that begs for answer is, why was he not duly invited by the security agency that carried out this outrageous arrest? Why arresting a citizen who never jumped bail, never disregarded security invitation and who has never evaded arrest by any authorized arm of security authorities in such a bravado operation as he was not a wanted criminal?
“Therefore, the thematic implications of the July 27, 2023 arrest of Citizen Nonso Nkwa are:
(1) We encourage the security agencies to carry out their duties lawfully in order to not to worsen the already terrible security situation in the state.
(2) The Imo NUJ requests for the immediate release of Nonso Nkwa whose arrest, in all practical purposes, did not follow due process as required by law especially in a democratic setting as we have today.
(3) If there is any allegation whatsoever hanging on the neck of Nonso Nkwa, the security agency that carried out his arrest ought to have properly investigated him, if he has any question to answer, and consequently charged him to court.
(4) As it is, a charge of criminal libel has been been brought against Mr Uba. We ask that he should be charged to court accordingly without further delay. And this is our sincere stand on Nonso Nkwa.
“Consequently, we call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to be very conscious of his officer being used as an avenue by the Imo State Government or any other person or institution, to intimidate, harass and haul flaks at perceived enemies of the state or imaginary opponents of such institutions or persons.
“This has even become expedient in the face of some ugly experiences in the recent past where former governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha was chased about like a common criminal, and the immediate past governor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, and his deputy, Rt Hon Gerald Irona, tagged with terrorism charges. Even an erstwhile governorship of AA, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu was arrested without any recourse to professionalism and due process.
