BREAKING: Newspaper Editor, Onuorah In Enugu Custody, Arrested For Defamatory Publication Against US-based Catholic Reverend Sister – Nigerian Police
Mr. Madu Onuorah, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Globalupfront Newspaper, has been taken into custody by the Enugu State Police Command. SaharaReporters revealed that Onuorah was apprehended by Nigerian police officers around 6 pm on Wednesday in Lugbe, Abuja, in front of his family, without being informed of his offense or presented with a court warrant.
Reports indicate that about ten fully armed policemen arrived in two Sienna buses to detain Onuorah, who previously served as the Abuja Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper and the Managing Director of The Authority Newspaper. His family’s inquiries into the reason for his arrest went unanswered, and the police confiscated his phones, preventing him from communicating with anyone, including his family and lawyer.
Contrary to allegations of abduction, the Enugu police command released a statement asserting that Onuorah’s arrest was lawful. According to the statement signed by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Onuorah was arrested based on a written petition received by the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, accusing him of making defamatory publications against a United States-based Catholic Reverend sister.
The statement clarified that Onuorah’s arrest in Abuja was facilitated with the help of police operatives from Ebonyi State Command and intelligence gathering, after previous attempts to formally invite him for questioning failed. The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has instructed the handling office to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice prevails in the case.
The Enugu State Police Command urged patience from the press community, particularly the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Onuorah’s associates, assuring them that due process will be followed. The command emphasized its commitment to upholding the rule of law and urged all parties involved to cooperate with the investigation.
This incident underscores the delicate balance between freedom of the press and legal accountability. While journalists play a crucial role in holding individuals and institutions accountable, they must also adhere to ethical standards and refrain from publishing defamatory content. The case of Mr. Onuorah highlights the importance of conducting thorough investigations and ensuring fair treatment of all parties involved in legal proceedings.
SaharaReporters
