Imo police confirm arrest of journalist, ‘Nonsonkwa’ over alleged Cyberstalking, Incitement

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrested of a journalist, Mr Chinonso Uba (NonsoNkwa) following a petition from yet to be revealed concerned citizen.

According to the police, petition was based on viral videos of Uba where he was accused of cyberstalking, defamation, spreading misinformation, and making inflammatory statements about the burning of the National Open University (NOUN) Study Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA, of Imo State on September 30, 2024.

He was arrested on October 20 near Teachers House, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, by plain cloth police officers raising suspicion of possible kidnap on him.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the arrest for alleged “cyberstalking, character defamation, misinformation, and civil unrest.”

Making it’s clarification, the police stated that contrary to circulating reports of abduction, NonsoNkwa was detained at the State Headquarters.

He said, “Nonsonkwa is currently detained at State Headquarters and will be arraigned in court with appropriate charges once a comprehensive investigation is completed,” Okoye said.

So many groups and individuals in the state including the National Youth Alliance(NYA) have frowned at the detention, wondered why the police will remain tight-lipped over the identity of the individual who filed the petition against NonsoNkwa.

Aliyu Abbas, National President NYA

According to NYA, they await further update from the police even as they term the charges as politically motivated.

Further to that, a journalist, Chidiebube Okeoma, expressed concern over the method of arrest of NonsoNkwa by the police.

He regretted continues disrespect of constitutional rights of NonsoNkwa urged for that to be strictly upheld especially now he is in their custody.

Okeoma who is also an activist condemned the arrest, saying it had caused public fear and misinformation. “Firstly, I condemn the way and manner Chinonso Uba was arrested in Owerri on Sunday.

“The unprofessional process fueled speculation that he was kidnapped and people went to town with such misinformation, thereby escalating the security status of the state,” he said.

The activist further noted that the police could have handled the situation more appropriately by inviting NonsoNkwa for questioning, as the petition against him was filed by an unnamed individual.

“While it is part of the constitutional responsibilities of the police to arrest and investigate issues and people, I call on the police to respect NonsoNkwa’s constitutional and civic rights while in their custody,” Okeoma added.

He insisted that NonsoNkwa should be granted access to his lawyers, family, and colleagues.

Okeoma also urged the police to ensure that he is not held for an extended period before being arraigned, warning that such an act would violate his rights.

Okeoma was confident that NonsoNkwa would emerge stronger, stating, “This will be another win for NonsoNkwa. He will come out stronger. Journalists can’t be bullied into submission in this state or any other state of the federation.”

Journalists he emphasized play vital role to the society, “Journalists will continue to speak truth to power. The constitution recognizes journalists as the watchdogs of the society.

It will be recalled that NonsoNkwa had questioned the news broadcast by a Lagos based television station, ‘TVC’ on why Imo State should be used as an IDP camp instead of addressing insecurity in Ehime Mbano, where the NOUN study centre is situated.

Arsonists had on the 30th of September set ablaze the NOUN study centre. They also torched the residence of a former lawmaker in the area, Senator Frank Ibezim.

The statement said, “This unfortunate incident reflects a disturbing trend of violence that undermines the safety and security of our communities. The Command stands firmly against such acts and will take all necessary measures in synergy with other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“Our command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace and order in the state. No individual involved in the tragic attack and burning of the NOUN study centre will escape full legal consequences.”

The arson followed a viral video that the Federal Government planned to renovate the NOUN facility as a training ground for internally displaced persons.

The Imo state government had since denied the report.

It will be recalled that the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijani Mohammed, had in the company of Ibezim inspected the national training facility for the vulnerable, located inside the NOUN study centre.

Ibezim

Senator Ibezim in a statement he issued had said, “I am compelled by our joint sense of purpose and commitment to address some misinformation arising from the TVC news coverage of my recent visit to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Nsu Study Centre.

“I was accompanied by the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation”.

“First, I must clarify that the video of refugees attached to the TVC broadcast, which has caused understandable anxiety, was not filmed in Imo State. The insinuation that there is intent to settle IDPs, refugees, or migrant persons at the NOUN Nsu Centre is entirely false.

NonsoNkwa had also in one of his videos on the issues sought understanding of the people on the explanations of Sen. Ibezim and the state government, urged them to sheathe their swords and give peay a chance.