The organisation said the continued detention of journalist, Chinonso Uba, popularly known as NonsoNkwa, without credible evidence is a clear case of deliberate victimisation and political prosecution.
A human rights advocacy organisation, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has lambasted the Nigeria Police Force for “abusing power, undermining the integrity of the legal process and attempting to silence dissent voices”.
The organisation said the continued detention of journalist, Chinonso Uba, popularly known as NonsoNkwa, without credible evidence is a clear case of deliberate victimisation and political prosecution.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, in a statement issued on Thursday said in its brazen abuse of power and attempt to stifle individuals for political reasons, the police, knowing that a Magistrates’ Court lacks jurisdiction over charges the against Uba, deliberately arraigned him before the court to prolong his detention.
Nwanguma siad, “The actions taken against Nonso Nkwa bear resemblances of victimisation and political persecution.
“Arranging to bring Mr. Nonso Nkwa before a Magistrate’s Court, knowing it lacked jurisdiction over the charges, suggests a deliberate attempt to prolong his detention.
“The police’s decision to arrest and detain him without credible evidence undermines the integrity of the legal process and raises questions about the motives behind the arrest.
“These actions reflect a potential misuse of power aimed at silencing dissent or targeting individuals for political reasons.”
The five counts include conspiracy, treason and arson.
The journalist was apprehended on October 20 near Teachers House, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, following a petition regarding viral videos allegedly containing inflammatory statements.
The videos were said to relate to the burning of the National Open University (NOUN) Study Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA, on September 30, 2024.
Abia State Government, through its Harmonized Taskforce, carried out an extensive enforcement operation in Aba, targeting street trading, illegal parking, road obstructions, and unauthorized loading and offloading of vehicles.
This decisive action, tagged “Operation Restore Absolute Sanity,” is to instill orderliness, cleanliness, and civility in the state.
The operation covered major junctions and roads, including Osisioma Junction, Tonimas, Enyimba, Double Pole, Ariaria Junction, and Park Road.
Traders and motorists who had encroached on public spaces and blocked drains were compelled to vacate these areas, as the taskforce dismantled illegal structures and cleared obstructions.
Led by Bob Wogu, the chairman of the Abia State Harmonized Taskforce, and joined by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Uzor Nwachukwu, the enforcement team showcased its resolve to restore sanity to the bustling commercial city.
Speaking during the exercise, Hon. Nwachukwu emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards activities that impede free movement and endanger public health and safety.
The taskforce had earlier issued warnings, urging residents and traders to voluntarily remove illegal structures and desist from trading on roads and gutters.
Trending videos show dozens of residents in Bida town, Niger State, collecting groundnut oil after a tanker overturned near Shafa filling station in the Esso area.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday morning, just three days after the deadly tanker explosion on Dikko-Maje Road, near Badeggi filling station in Suleja Local Government Area, which resulted in the loss of 98 lives.
Reports indicate that those gathered to collect the spilling fuel were caught in an explosion, which also impacted those trying to assist the victims.
The fire spread across a large area, leaving behind charred remains and widespread destruction.
The explosion is said to have occurred around 9:00 am while efforts were underway to transfer PMS from the overturned tanker to another vehicle.
Despite the recent tragic incident in Suleja Local Government Area, new videos from Tuesday morning show residents in Bida approaching the fallen truck with jerry cans and buckets to collect the spilled groundnut oil near a filling station in the town.
Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria, according to the Vanguard Newspaper.
It will be recalled that Senator Ekweremadu, his wife, and Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced by a UK court on charges related to organ harvesting.
The former Deputy Senate President was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Mrs Ekweremadu received a six-year sentence.