Abuja publisher arrested for defamation — Police

The Enugu State Police Command has stated that the Editor-in-Chief of Global Upfront Newspaper, Madu Onuora, was arrested by policemen from Ebonyi State at his house in Lugbe, Abuja on charges of alleged defamation.

Spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, made the disclosure this evening.

Onuora was picked up at his house by policemen in a Gestapo-like manner, without an arrest warrant. His phones were confiscated by the policemen, and family and friends could not reach him for 24 hours.

According to Ndukwe, “The command is in receipt of several publications alleging the abduction of an Abuja-based online news publisher, one Madu Onuora. 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 Command and the aid of intelligence, after efforts made to formally invite him failed.

“Furthermore, his arrest was following the receipt of a written petition to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, against him over an alleged defamatory publication he made against a US-based Reverend Sister.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the office handling the case to professionally investigate and ensure that justice prevails.

“He calls 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, assuring that the needful will be done in the case.”