I5 days after a journalist, practicing in Imo State, Chinonso Uba, otherwise known as Nonso Nkwa, was whisked away by police operatives, Civil Society Organizations across Nigeria have again re-emphasized its initial call for the unconditional release of the journalist.
Nonso Ukwa was abducted in Owerri, Imo State, in a commando fashion on 27 July, 2023 by gunmen, after he finished anchoring his morning programme on Ozisa FM, a radio station in Owerri.
The initial thinking after the abduction was that the act was perpetrated by gunmen but later it turned out that the gunmen were police operatives.
In late July, over 30 CSOs called for the release of the journalist, after about 6 days in detention but it appeared the call fell on deaf ears.
In a statement on Thursday, over 50 CSOs expressed worry that it is 15 days since the journalist has been kept in detention without bail or any charge.
The statement read; “Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria are seriously concerned that 15 days after Mr. Theodore Chinonso Uba (Nonsonkwa) was abducted in Owerri, Imo State, in a commando fashion on 27 July, 2023 by gunmen who turned out to be police officers, he has remained in detention since then, without bail or charge.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended stipulates that anyone arrested for any offense shall not be detained beyond 24 hours or at the most 48 hours, depending on the proximity to the court.
“It is even the more embarrassing that Nonso Nkwa’s arrest and continued unlawful detention by the Nigeria Police is said to be at the behest and pleasure of the governor of Imo State, Mr. Hope Uzodinma who is alleged to have accused Nonso Nkwa of defamation.”
The CSOs insisted that the continued detention of Nonso Nkwa beyond the legally permissible duration without being charged, is unconstitutional, reckless and irresponsible.
“It is a gross violation of his fundamental rights to liberty, freedom of movement, human dignity and fair hearing. It violates the principles of due process and rule of law.
“The action of the Police is reckless and discreditable, and portrays the police as an institution that is willing to lend itself as a tool of oppression and for settling personal or political scores.
“We call on the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to redeem the Nigeria police from this disgraceful depth it has sunk into.
“He should order the immediate release of Nonso Nkwa, order an impartial investigation into the act of illegality and subversion of the Constitution and the rule of law and bring all those responsible to account.
“He should make a public pronouncement that the Nigeria Police will no longer be lent to, or used by, any politician as a tool of oppression and repression or for settling scores,” the CSOs said.
Among the CSOs that signed the statement are Sterling Law Centre, Abuja, Justice for Peace and Development Initiative (JPDI), Lagos, Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Aba, Abia State, Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, (CCIDESOR) Owerri, Imo State, Spaces for Change, Lagos, Public Enlightenment Projects PEP, Abia State and Building Blocks for Peace Foundation.
They also include Foundation For Environmental Rights,Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Lagos, Better Community Life Initiative (BECOLIN), Imo State, The Inclusion Project (TIP), Lagos, Avocats Sans Frontiers( Lawyers without Borders) Abuja and Everybody Must Serve Campaign For Human Rights (EMS), Abuja, among others.
