NUJ Condemns Arrest of Imo Radio Presenter Uba

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, has condemned the arrest of radio presenter Chinonso Uba, known as Nonsokwa, by the Nigeria Police Force, characterizing the action as an attempt to undermine press freedom in the state.

In a statement jointly signed by State Chairman Precious Nwadike and Secretary Ori Martins, the NUJ expressed disapproval of the circumstances surrounding Uba’s arrest and urged the police to promptly take the matter to court. The Union reported that Uba had been missing, raising concern among his family and friends, who alerted the public about his sudden disappearance days before the police confirmed his arrest.

The NUJ leadership criticized the police’s delay in acknowledging the arrest and described the method of apprehension as a “Gestapo-style” approach, which fueled speculation that Uba had been abducted.

According to a police release shared with the NUJ, Uba’s arrest stemmed from a petition by an unidentified group referred to as “Concerned Citizens,” accusing him of cyberstalking, character defamation, spreading misinformation, and making inflammatory statements related to the recent burning of the National Open University (NOUN) Study Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA, on September 30, 2024, which allegedly incited civil unrest.

In light of this situation, the NUJ urged the police to act with honor, integrity, and professionalism by either charging Uba to court immediately or releasing him on bail without further delay. They emphasized that since the police clarified Uba was not abducted, it is crucial to allow the law to take its course.

The council noted that, according to legal stipulations, Uba should not be detained for more than 48 hours without being charged, calling for the Imo Police Command to handle the situation with professionalism and to avoid actions that might suggest repression of dissenting voices.

The NUJ highlighted that journalists in the state have been collaborating with the police to ensure public safety and urged the command to maintain this cooperative relationship, avoiding actions that could cast the police as adversaries of press freedom.