The arrest of Comrade Theodore Chinonso Uba- a journalist and ace radio presenter with Ozisa 96.1 fm Owerri, last week by unknown persons, who were later revealed to be security agents has become a subject of discourse in many fora since last week. Government has made an official statement to that effect.
The Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in a recent press release signed by the Chairman, Comrade Precious Nwadike and the Secretary Comrade Ori Martins has called for the immediate release of the human rights activist and journalist or in the alternative charge him to court for whatever offence he may have committed.
The release narrated the circumstance and manner of the arrest of the popular presenter also known as Nonsonkwa. It appealed to the Inspector General of Police that in the face of some ugly experiences in the recent past where former governors and deputy governors of the state like Rochas Okorocha, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Emeka Ihedioha and Gerald Irona were chased about like common criminals.
The text of the release reads as follows, “The Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has roundly condemned the commando-style arrest and continued detention of popular broadcaster and radio host, Mr Theodore Chinonso Uba popularly known as Nonso Nkwa, and do hereby call for his immediate release.
Nonso Nkwa was arrested on Thursday, July 27, 2023, about 11:00 hours at the ever busy Control Post terminal otherwise known as Assumpta Gate, on his way home after he had anchored his Igbo morning programme at the Ozisa FM radio station.
“Assuming but not conceding that the Radio presenter defamed the governor or government of Imo State as purported in a press statement signed by Mr Declan Emelumba, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, it won’t be out of place to state that the right thing to do would have been to seek redress in court and not this unwholesome resort to intimidation and self-help.
“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 public peace.
What we condemn and vehemently frown at is the unprofessional and uncivil manner, some security agencies usually carry out this all important, critical and very sensitive assignment of arrest and investigation of the alleged crime or offense, and that exactly was where the masked police operatives that ambushed Nonso Nkwa got it all wrong.
“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 arrest a citizen who never jumped bail, who never rebuffed security invitations and who has never evaded arrest by any authorized security agency, in such a gestapo-style operation, as if he was 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 not to worsen the already horrifying 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 touted as being the charge against Mr Uba.
We know very well that under Nigerian laws, libel is a civil matter, it would have been left for the court of law to determine if Governor Hope Uzodinma’s case against Nonso Nkwa is indeed one of “Criminal Libel” as being parroted.
We know very well that under Nigerian laws, libel is a civil matter, it would have been left for the court of law to determine if Governor Hope Uzodinma’s case against Nonso Nkwa is indeed one of “Criminal Libel” as being parroted.
Accordingly, we ask that CHINONSO UBA (Nonso Nkwa) should be charged to court without further delay.
And this is our sincere stand on this issue!
Consequently, we call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to be very conscious of his operatives offering themselves as willing tool in the hands of politicians, state actors or any other person or institution, to be used to intimidate, harass and haul flaks at perceived enemies of the state or imaginary opponents of such institutions or persons. This has become a recurring and disturbing development.
Our call to the IGP has also 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 grievous criminal allegations and charges. Even an erstwhile governorship candidate of AA, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu was hauled out of a church, arrested without any recourse to decency and bundled to Abuja, just because they have the power to do it.
