The Enugu police command has released Madu Onuorah, publisher and editor-in-chief of Globalupfront Newspaper.
On Wednesday, armed police officers besieged Onuorah’s residence in the Lugbe area of Abuja.
The management of Globalupfront Newspaper said the editor was arrested in the presence of his wife and children, adding that the journalist could not communicate with his family and friends as his mobile gadgets were seized.
Subsequently, Daniel Ndukwe, the Enugu police spokesperson, said the journalist was arrested “after efforts made to formally invite him failed”.
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Ndukwe said a petition was written to the Enugu police commissioner “over an alleged defamatory publication he made against a US-based reverend sister”.
On Thursday, the Abuja council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the “commando-like raiding” of Onuorah’s home, adding that the police did not adhere to the provisions of the constitution.
In a statement on Friday, the management of the newspaper said its editor was freed on Thursday night.
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The management said it is awaiting a briefing from Onuorah and lawyers before determining its next course of action.
“We have confirmed the release (on bail) of our Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Madu Onuorah who was abducted by men of the Ebonyi Police Command on Wednesday 22/5/2024 evening from his residence in Lugbe, Abuja,” the statement reads.
“He was released late Thursday, 23/5/2024, night by Enugu State Police Command who requested the Ebonyi Police to abduct him for them.
“We are awaiting a full briefing by Mr Onuorah and our lawyers before issuing a full statement on this matter and the next line of action.
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“We solidly stand by our Editor-in-Chief and the harmless story we published. We insist the police station is not a court of law where alleged defamation cases are tried.
“We want to thank the Journalism and Media family, friends and well-wishers, and all defenders of freedom of expression who rose against a budding tyranny.”
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