Police invite journalist ‘over report’ on former Imo rep

The Nigeria Police Force has invited Oke Epia, publisher of OrderPaper Nigeria, citing “criminal complaints” against the journalist.

In a letter dated June 26, the national assembly division of the force asked Epia to report on Tuesday.

Although it did not state where the complaints emanated from, it is believed to be over a report published by the media organisation on Tony Nwulu, a former member of the house of representatives from Imo state.

“The Police Force, National Assembly Police Division is investigating a criminal complaint in which your names/organisation featured,” the letter read.

“In view of the above, it is requested that you report to the Divisional Crime Branch on 30th July 2019 at 10.00 a.m. in furtherance to the above complaint.

“This is a fact-finding invitation and your presence is important.”

The journalist recently raised an alarm of alleged threat to his life by Nwulu over the report critical of him.

Epia had, in a statement, said staff at OrderPaper have received threatening calls from Nwulu and “strange persons” some of whom refused to identify themselves.

According to him, Nwulu was miffed by a report of an “objective assessment” of his records at the national assembly.

He said the encounters with the politician started on July 21 when the former lawmaker posted “unwarranted, grave and unsubstantiated allegations of extortion and blackmail” against the organisation on social media.

Nwulu had denied the allegations in an interview with TheCable.

He accused Epia of blackmailing him and alleged that the medium failed to provide evidence that he spent money meant for a constituency project.