The International Press Centre’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), has called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the Editor-in-Chief of Global Upfront, Madu Onuorah, who was allegedly whisked away by men of the Nigerian Police Force.
Onuorah, was alleged to have been whisked away at about 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at his residence in Lugbe, FCT Abuja.
IPC’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, on Thursday urged the IGP to as a matter of urgency release the journalist.
He also called on other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for a free press in Nigeria.
Noting that the journalist has not been charged to court, the IPC stressed that the need for the IGP to ensure his immediate and unconditional release cannot be overemphasized
“He was arrested in the presence of his wife and children who fruitlessly demanded from the Police why they were arresting the head of the family.
“He was not even allowed to contact his lawyer or any of his relations before he was whisked away to the Lugbe Police Station,” the statement said.
Arogundade who was also disturbed that the media is once again under attack, said the rate at which journalists and media practitioners are being arrested is alarming and should be of serious concern to all.
“Anybody who has an issue against Madu Onuorah should approach the court of justice and not use the Police to unlawfully infringe his fundamental rights,” he stressed.