The Nigeria Police Power (NPF) has detained the writer of Naija Information Right this moment, Friday Alefia, for greater than two weeks allegedly on the orders of Chinedu Ogah, who represents Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency within the Home of Representatives.
Mr Alefia was reportedly arrested in Lagos by operatives of the Intelligence Response Staff (IRT) of the Nigerian police and transferred to Abuja, the place he’s being held on the detention facility of the defunct SARS over alleged cybercrime regarding a report he printed in regards to the lawmaker.
Talking with PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, the journalist’s elder brother, Uchenna Nwanchor, stated the household didn’t know the precise date of his arrest however confirmed that he had been in custody for greater than two weeks.
Mr Nwanchor added {that a} relative, who had been feeding Mr Alefia in detention, knowledgeable the household that his well being was deteriorating every day.
“We’re pleading with Honourable Chinedu Ogah to please forgive him over his publications and launch him. We’re going to warning him,” Mr Nwanchor stated.
He additionally stated the household had been unable to safe his launch. “He was taken from Lagos to Abuja by the IRT. Since then, we’ve not been allowed to see him,” he stated.
Public appeals for mercy
The case has drawn public consideration in Ebonyi State, the place some residents have appealed to Mr Ogah to indicate mercy.
In an open letter posted on Fb on Saturday, Odo Chikwere, a resident of the state, urged the lawmaker to pardon the journalist.
“This younger college graduate, Alefia Friday, has been in detention on the infamous SARS cell in Abuja for 2 weeks now primarily based on a court docket order. From my findings, his well being is deteriorating,” Mr Chikwere wrote.
He stated his findings confirmed that Mr Ogah accused Mr Alefia of defamation, cyberbullying, and character assassination over a report crucial of his political efficiency.
“Honourable Ogah, you’ll win in the event you present mercy at this level and pardon younger Alefia. SARS cell in Abuja isn’t a spot to right anybody. You may have already made your level; please let him go,” he appealed.
Mr Chikwere added {that a} well-meaning resident of Abuja had been feeding and supporting Mr Alefia whereas his household struggled to fulfill the reported N2 million bail situation.
The report behind the arrest
The controversy traces back to a Naija Information Right this moment story printed on 20 December 2024, titled “Ogah’s Political Future Unsure Amid Senate Rumours.”
The report mentioned hypothesis that Mr Ogah, nearing the top of his second time period, was contemplating contesting the Ebonyi Central Senatorial seat forward of the 2027 basic election.
One other report additionally included sharp criticism of his efficiency and political relevance, which reportedly angered the lawmaker and his supporters.
Following the publications, a petition was filed towards Mr Alefia, resulting in his arrest by the police.
Lawmaker speaks
When reached by cellphone on Saturday night, Mr Ogah didn’t instantly deny ordering the journalist’s arrest however stated the matter was already earlier than a court docket.
He described Mr Alefia’s publications as makes an attempt to tarnish his fame, claiming the detained writer had written “about 36 tales” towards him.
The lawmaker stated he was “not a police officer” and couldn’t remark additional on a case earlier than the court docket, advising the reporter to confirm the main points from the judiciary and related authorities.
He additionally stated no member of the journalist’s household had contacted him in regards to the situation.
Requires launch
Media and human rights advocates have described the journalist’s detention as a risk to press freedom and an abuse of energy, urging the police to launch him instantly.
“We solely need him to return again alive. He isn’t a legal. If he offended anybody together with his report, we apologise,” Emmanuel Ogodo, a journalist, advised PREMIUM TIMES.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Power had not issued an official assertion relating to the arrest or the costs towards the journalist.
Mr Alefia’s arrest provides to a rising listing of journalists detained or harassed by Nigerian safety operatives over their work in recent times.
In August 2024, Amnesty International condemned the arrest of journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, who was charged with cybercrime after reporting on a protest in Bayelsa State.
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Earlier in March, police in Abuja detained Fisayo Soyombo of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) for hours following a petition over an investigative story.
Press freedom teams corresponding to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have repeatedly warned that the Cybercrimes Act is getting used to silence dissenting voices in Nigeria, particularly journalists reporting on corruption or public officers.
