TheNewsGuru

Tag: Madu Onuorah

  • Abuja-based journalist ‘abducted’ by police regains freedom

    Abuja-based journalist ‘abducted’ by police regains freedom

    Abuja-based online publisher, Mr Madu Onuorah, who was arrested over alleged defamatory publication against a US-based Reverend Sister, has been released by the police.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Onuorah, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Globalupfront Newspapers, was released on Thursday night.

    “We have confirmed the release (on bail) of our Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Madu Onuorah who was arrested by men of the Ebonyi Police Command on Wednesday 22/5/2024 evening from his residence in Lugbe, Abuja.

    “He was released late Thursday, 23/5/2024, night by Enugu State Police Command who requested the Ebonyi Police to arrest him for them,” a statement by the management of Globalupfront reads.

    The media organisation disclosed that it awaiting a full briefing by Mr Onuorah and lawyers before issuing a full statement on the matter and the next line of action.

    The Police Command in Enugu state had said Onuorah was arrested over alleged defamatory publication against a US-based Reverend Sister.

  • Why Onuorah was arrested – Police

    Why Onuorah was arrested – Police

    The Police Command in Enugu state has said that an Abuja-based online publisher, Mr Madu Onuorah, was arrested over alleged defamatory publication against a US-based Reverend Sister.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday in Enugu.

    Ndukwe said: “The Enugu State Police Command is in receipt of several publications alleging the abduction of an Abuja-based online news publisher, one Madu Onuorah.

    “The Command wishes to state that, contrary to the allegations, he was duly arrested in Abuja with the assistance of police operatives from Ebonyi State Police Command and the aid of intelligence, after efforts made to formally invite him failed.”

    He explained that Onuorah’s arrest followed the receipt of a written petition to the Commissioner of Police in Enugu state command, against him, over an alleged defamatory publication he made against a US-based Reverend Sister.

    Ndukwe said that the CP, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, had ordered the office handling the case to professionally investigate and ensure that justice prevails.

    “The commissioner called on the press family, particularly the leadership and members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and associates of the suspect, to exercise patience.

    “He also assured that the needful will be done in the case,” he added.

  • NUJ calls for immediate release of Onuorah

    NUJ calls for immediate release of Onuorah

    The FCT Council of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) on Thursday in Abuja called for the immediate release of Mr Madu Onuorah,  Editor-in-Chief of the Globalupfront Online Newspaper.

    In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Òsárétín Òsádébàmwén and Ochiaka Ugwu respectively, the council expressed worries over the spate of harassment of journalists in the guise of making arrest  by the Police.

    “While we are not averse to the right of citizens to seek redress over legitimate infringement on their rights, we believe that constitutional means should be strictly adhered to in doing this.

    “A condemnable case in point, is the commando like raiding of the home of Onuorah.

    “The manner of arrest leaves much to be desired from a legitimate force of the state; the Nigeria Police which should have been civil, instead, intimidated and forcefully whisked away Onuorah in a manner akin to kidnapping.

    “We condemn this total abuse of power laced with intimidation and demand his immediate release,” the council stressed.

    The council insisted that, in a situation where a citizen or organisation is believed to have a case to answer, the constitutional path should be activated and followed.

    “The NUJ will continue to hold the government and its institutions accountable for the people”.