By Ultimatenews
A practising journalist and former staff of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC Mr Godfrey Chikwere is currently lying critically ill at Alex Ekweme Teaching hospital, Abakaliki after long detention by the Police
Mr Chikwere was said to be undergoing treatment at the state police clinic, police headquarters Abakaliki but reportedly not responding well to the treatment leading to his transfer to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki(AE-FUTHA) where he is currently hospitalized.
Mr Chikwere who is currently the Media Assistant to Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator representing Ebonyi Central zone was arrested few days ago by the police following a petition against him by the state government for making a publication on his facebook handle which the government considered as fake news.
He was to be arraigned by the police before the court to face charges against him but was said to be in crisis following the sickness.
His wife, Onyinyechi, confirmed this to reporters in Abakaliki
She said “my husband started falling sick yesterday night when he was in the police station. So, he became worst and the police clinic couldn’t handle it. He is here in FETHA since this morning.
“They couldn’t diagnosed anything at the police clinic but he was in serious crisis. So, no we are in FETHA, from the explanations on what is wrong with him, I think it is acute appendisaisis but I don’t know yet”.
However, the has been outrage and condemnation since the arrest of Godffery Chikwere.
Civil Society groups and Online activists are demanding for justice.
But in a shift reaction, the Ebonyi State Commisioner for information Mr Uchenna Orji who denied being responsible for the arrest and detention said Chikwere was arrested for publishing fake news under Ebonyi State
Ebonyi state law on cyber crimes prohibition 2021 (which is law 012 of 2021.
"My attention has been drawn to a social media post and speculation that my office was used to cause the detention of a practicing Journalist in Ebonyi state but I wish to use this medium to categorically state that the person that's be refer to who is Mr Godfrey chikwere is not a member of Journalist in Ebonyi state since I have confirmed from state Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and they clearly stated that he was not a member of Journalist.
"But the truth of the matter is that as a Ministry of Information and State Orientation, in keeping with the mandate of ensuring orientation to the people as against bad habits and also in keeping with it's duty in sensitizing the people and ensuring the implementation of Ebonyi state law on cyber crimes prohibition 2021 (which is law 012 of 2021) we had to swing into action by trapping any person spreading fake news on social media, publication or however, any other electronic means".
"Incidentally, this said Godfrey Chikwere happened to be one of those that we found to be in the habit of posting fake information and spreading hate speech"
"As a matter of fact, Ebonyi state has passed a law on this and it's my duty as the Commissioner for Information not only to sensitize members of the public but also ensure the implementation of that law because it thus concern information dissemination, and it happened that Godfrey Chikwere is one of the persons that's a suspect".
"Let me mention that we have had two cases were people who were seen circulating fake information were arrested and were quizzed and once premia facie was established and police has to do the needful".
"We have had a case of PA to the vice Chancellor Ebonyi state University who is under this administration was arrested, quizzed and also charged to Court".
"So, the case of Godfrey Chikwere can never be treated separately or exceptionally in this regard" "I just want to urge members of the public to join us in the campaign against fake news and hate speech". He said.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Enugu State have condemned in totality the arrest and detention of Godfrey Chikwere over Facebook post.
The group in a statement endorsed by its President Mazi Nnamdi Odo demanded for justice for Chikwere, a Professional Journalist and indigene of Enugu State
The Statement reads
"The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Enugu State, ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Odo hereby condemn in totality the arrest and severe torture by Nigeria policemen, acting on the instruction of the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr. David Nwaeze Umahi to Godfrey Chikwere because of a mere Facebook post.
"Godfrey Chikwere, a Professional Journalist and indigene of Enugu State just exercised his fundamental human right just like every other human being, including Ebonyi Youths, who are scattered all over the States of the federation especially Enugu State."
"We here by this press statement, call on the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi and all opinion leaders of Ebonyi state, with immediate alacrity take absolute health care of Godfrey Chikwere, whom we heard, has been rushed to AEFUTHA after he suddenly developed complications in the police custody due to excessive torture.
"We also request that our brother Comr. Ogenyi Eziokwu, who was also arrested by this unscrupulous security men because he went to ascertain the state of Godfrey Chikwere health be released within 6hours of this press release".
"Failure to adhere to the above requests will lead something that Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi and his cohorts will leave to regret".
"24 hours from now, we will mobilize 10,000 youths that will protest in Ebonyi State against this injustice. The public should take note. Dave Umahi will arrest all of us and he should be ready with his police dogs" the statement stated.
A practising journalist and former staff of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC Mr Godfrey Chikwere is currently lying critically ill at Alex Ekweme Teaching hospital, Abakaliki after long detention by the Police
Mr Chikwere was said to be undergoing treatment at the state police clinic, police headquarters Abakaliki but reportedly not responding well to the treatment leading to his transfer to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki(AE-FUTHA) where he is currently hospitalized.
Mr Chikwere who is currently the Media Assistant to Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator representing Ebonyi Central zone was arrested few days ago by the police following a petition against him by the state government for making a publication on his facebook handle which the government considered as fake news.
He was to be arraigned by the police before the court to face charges against him but was said to be in crisis following the sickness.
His wife, Onyinyechi, confirmed this to reporters in Abakaliki
She said “my husband started falling sick yesterday night when he was in the police station. So, he became worst and the police clinic couldn’t handle it. He is here in FETHA since this morning.
“They couldn’t diagnosed anything at the police clinic but he was in serious crisis. So, no we are in FETHA, from the explanations on what is wrong with him, I think it is acute appendisaisis but I don’t know yet”.
However, the has been outrage and condemnation since the arrest of Godffery Chikwere.
Civil Society groups and Online activists are demanding for justice.
But in a shift reaction, the Ebonyi State Commisioner for information Mr Uchenna Orji who denied being responsible for the arrest and detention said Chikwere was arrested for publishing fake news under Ebonyi State
Ebonyi state law on cyber crimes prohibition 2021 (which is law 012 of 2021.
"My attention has been drawn to a social media post and speculation that my office was used to cause the detention of a practicing Journalist in Ebonyi state but I wish to use this medium to categorically state that the person that's be refer to who is Mr Godfrey chikwere is not a member of Journalist in Ebonyi state since I have confirmed from state Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and they clearly stated that he was not a member of Journalist.
"But the truth of the matter is that as a Ministry of Information and State Orientation, in keeping with the mandate of ensuring orientation to the people as against bad habits and also in keeping with it's duty in sensitizing the people and ensuring the implementation of Ebonyi state law on cyber crimes prohibition 2021 (which is law 012 of 2021) we had to swing into action by trapping any person spreading fake news on social media, publication or however, any other electronic means".
"Incidentally, this said Godfrey Chikwere happened to be one of those that we found to be in the habit of posting fake information and spreading hate speech"
"As a matter of fact, Ebonyi state has passed a law on this and it's my duty as the Commissioner for Information not only to sensitize members of the public but also ensure the implementation of that law because it thus concern information dissemination, and it happened that Godfrey Chikwere is one of the persons that's a suspect".
"Let me mention that we have had two cases were people who were seen circulating fake information were arrested and were quizzed and once premia facie was established and police has to do the needful".
"We have had a case of PA to the vice Chancellor Ebonyi state University who is under this administration was arrested, quizzed and also charged to Court".
"So, the case of Godfrey Chikwere can never be treated separately or exceptionally in this regard" "I just want to urge members of the public to join us in the campaign against fake news and hate speech". He said.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Enugu State have condemned in totality the arrest and detention of Godfrey Chikwere over Facebook post.
The group in a statement endorsed by its President Mazi Nnamdi Odo demanded for justice for Chikwere, a Professional Journalist and indigene of Enugu State
The Statement reads
"The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Enugu State, ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Odo hereby condemn in totality the arrest and severe torture by Nigeria policemen, acting on the instruction of the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr. David Nwaeze Umahi to Godfrey Chikwere because of a mere Facebook post.
"Godfrey Chikwere, a Professional Journalist and indigene of Enugu State just exercised his fundamental human right just like every other human being, including Ebonyi Youths, who are scattered all over the States of the federation especially Enugu State."
"We here by this press statement, call on the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi and all opinion leaders of Ebonyi state, with immediate alacrity take absolute health care of Godfrey Chikwere, whom we heard, has been rushed to AEFUTHA after he suddenly developed complications in the police custody due to excessive torture.
"We also request that our brother Comr. Ogenyi Eziokwu, who was also arrested by this unscrupulous security men because he went to ascertain the state of Godfrey Chikwere health be released within 6hours of this press release".
"Failure to adhere to the above requests will lead something that Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi and his cohorts will leave to regret".
"24 hours from now, we will mobilize 10,000 youths that will protest in Ebonyi State against this injustice. The public should take note. Dave Umahi will arrest all of us and he should be ready with his police dogs" the statement stated.
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