-Recounts Experience In Prison
Renowned Activist and Veteran Journalist, Theodore Chinonso Ubah popularly known as Nonsonkwa has revealed recent prison experience for 54 days after his arrest by Tiger Base Officers on 20th October, 2024 and his subsequent detention.
In a release signed by him, he stated the following, “At about 4:30pm on Sunday 20th October 2024, I was ambushed opposite Teachers House Port Harcourt road, by Ebubeagu militants and tiger Base officers led by one Chidiebere Nwosu who ordered that I should be thrown inside the booth of the Lexus 300 they ambushed me with. There was nothing different from kidnappers and those who arrested me and nothing to distinguish them as security agents. I was taken to the State CID, locked up at the intelligence department without telling me why I was arrested.
“On Monday 21st October at about 11:14am, I was brought out by two Tiger Base operatives named Innocent and Philip. The one named Innocent was the IPO who presented three petitions to me. The first petition was the accusation of treason written by a faceless organisation whose grammatical sequencing could best be described as ‘cut and join’ lacking in substance and merit and poorly constructed. The faceless writer never made any reference to the TVC News where Nonsonkwa quoted in his video broadcast.
“The second petition was written by one SP Davidson of the intelligent department of Imo police Command where he accused me of inciting the public against the government for saying that the LGA Chairmen signed their resignation letters as a holden charge if they don’t part with a certain percentage of the local government allocation.
“The third petition also written by SP Davidson accused me of planning to cause anarchy for organising a protest against police Extortion.
“I made my statements accordingly.”
“I was told I would see the CP for an interview but I never saw the CP till I was hurriedly bundled to the Magistrate court 1 on Wednesday October 23rd where i was reminded in prison custody even when the Magistrate knew she has no jurisdiction over treason charges brought against me. I was taking notes!
“When I arrived at the Federal Correctional Center Owerri, there was excitement from the inmates when they saw me. I was taken to records department where I was documented by friendly warders and wardresses. I was later shown to my cell ( F Line) where I shared the space with the General Provost of the prison and four others.
“The next day I was taken to the Clinic department of the prison where tests where conducted on me and a medical file opened for me.
“The friendly nature of the inmates made me settle down without difficulties. They were happy seeing Nonsonkwa. It was an opportunity to listen to their challenges and what brought them to prison. It was a life time opportunity to hear from those who were there during the jail break and what exactly happened and those who returned after the jailbreak and of course their reasons for returning. There were some of them who were bundled back to prison by their people.
“It was a worthwhile sitting and discussing with real criminals who told me they did what they were condemned for. They were those who are innocent yet they were sentenced & condemned. I had to peruse through the various judgement rulings of some of those sentenced or condemned and I could see loopholes and miscarriage of justice. I told such prisoners to appeal the judgement but the challenge remains money to hire a lawyer.
“Meanwhile the number of those on awaiting trial is shocking. About eight hundred inmates have no access to the law court. Some have spent two to ten years in prison without going to court. I took it upon myself to gather every necessary information about them for action.
“My project for 2025 is hugely for the welfare of prisoners and inmates. To offer help to those yet to go to court and assist those yet to meet their bail conditions, then organise a monthly visitation for the inmates.
“To this end, I will form a Prisoners Welfare Partnership with like minds to assist the inmates on a monthly basis. By January I will announce the procedure for those interested. It will be a taboo if I fail to mention one of the ugliest part of my experience and discovery while in prison. As a journalist and Activist, I carried out a thorough investigation and discovered that half of those in prison were brought half-dead by Tiger Base.
“There was a case of one inmate brought by Tiger Base but because of the condition of the suspect, the prison management refused to accept the young. The Tiger Base operative who brought the half-dead young man did the most ruthless thing to the chagrin of prison management. Instead of taking the young man to hospital, the ruthless Tiger Base operative took a 2by2 plank and started hitting the already dying young man. It was at this point that the nurses rescued the young man, but unfortunately the young man died few weeks later in prison.
“I could go on and on with the atrocities being committed inside Tiger Base, but those of them who committed such atrocities will never escape justice at the appointed time.
“The investigating police officers (IPOs) are another problem in our justice system. Police officers who are supposed to investigate cases Brought to them would rather resort to taking bribe from the highest bidder especially the complainant. Most inmates in prison are there today because their complainants bribed their IPO. It was in prison that I learnt that police can add more charges to someone’s original charge to make sure the person is remanded in prison.These categories of Police officers are being investigated and shall be made public soon.
I want to urge our Magistrates and Honourable Judges to kindly apply the community service part of punishment for minor crimes like burglary, stealing, fighting and some civil maters, instead of sentencing such persons to years in prison. This is obtainable in some states in Nigeria, we can do it in Imo too. This would also help to decongest our prison and save lives.
“The condition of inmates at the Federal correctional center Owerri is nothing to write home about. The feeding is poor. Not enough drugs to go round. The situation is overwhelming but the prison management is truly trying their best to manage the situation.
“It is sad that both the federal and state government have abandoned the inmates at the Owerri prison. Some of the buildings are dilapidated and in a terrible condition especially the building serving as hall and church,the kitchen too.
“I urge the Attorney General & the commissioner for justice of Imo state to kindly step into the matter of those who are yet to access justice by facilitating their going to court, especially those brought to prison from Okigwe and Orlu axis of the state.
“I want to appeal to Governor Hope Uzodimma to exercise his prerogative powers on some inmates who have spent almost 16 to 21 years in prison and some very old men who are almost dying because of the frailty of old age. These set of prisoners deserve mercy.
“I want to appreciate my legal team led by Barr Alex NN Williams, IBB Madubuko, KC Mgbenkeonye, Kissinger Ikeokwu, Chukwuocha, Faith Obisike and Chidimma Amadi. I won’t forget the efforts of Duru Daniels, Marjorie, Saviola Godwyn, the entire Ozisa Fm family, Obinna Chineke of Darling Fm, Davidson Ahumaraeze of Toast Fm, and my colleagues who added their voices for my freedom. The National Human Right commission, International Human Rights Commision, RULAAC, Amnesty International, United Nations Human Rights Watch, Protect the Weak international Foundation.
“I can’t mention all here especially those who visited me while in prison, brought food, cash to assist me. I don’t take you for granted. May God Bless you all.
Finally, I appreciate the entire management of the federal correctional center Owerri, the former DCP, Eke C. Eke now CP Eke, the new DCP a young visionary administrator, Aunty Sandra, Joy, Cordelia, Mummy B, Oga Kalu, Paulo, Oga Imo, Ogaz Chuks, Aunty Chioma and all our beautiful nurses. All warders and wardresses including our gallant armed forces. I can’t thank you guys enough for treating me like your blood. God Bless You.
“To the General Provost of the Prison and all Provosts,General pastor and prison police , I appreciate you guys alot for the physical protection you guys provided me with throughout my stay with you. God will see you guys through.
“Before I conclude, the use of faceless organisations and individuals to write baseless petitions against opposition and critics of the government is a childish political tactics that must backfire and bring shame to Imo state.
“To any government that lacks the confidence and trust of the people, truth is inciting to such government.
“I have no personal grudge against the governor nor anyone working for him, but I have serious issues with the way his information managers are managing his relationship with the people. There is an unprecedented gap of communication between the government and Imo people because the media team of the governor only attacks personalities instead of issues raised .This is the greatest undoing of this administration!
“I will remain at the warfront of justice defending ndi Imo with the weapon of Truth against political gamblers.
“This is My Vow”
