Abuja Publisher Released on Bail 24 Hours After Police Abducted Him

According to the statement, Onuorah's release was secured from the Enugu State Police Command on Thursday night, after bail conditions were met.

"We have confirmed the release (on bail) of our Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Madu Onuorah, who was abducted by men of the Ebonyi Police Command on Wednesday 22/5/2024 evening from his residence in Lugbe, Abuja," the statement reads in part.

"We solidly stand by our Editor-in-Chief and the harmless story we published. We insist the police station is not a court of law where alleged defamation cases are tried.

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"We want to thank the Journalism and Media family, friends and well-wishers, and all defenders of freedom of expression who rose against a budding tyranny."

FIJ had earlier reported how Onuorah was taken away from his Lugbe residence on Wednesday by armed police officers numbering about 10. Onuorah was arrested without a warrant and without being allowed to contact his family members or lawyer.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Command of the NPF said on Thursday that Onuorah was arrested over a defamation petition written by a US-based reverend sister.

According to the statement, the reverend sister had petitioned the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, alleging that Onuorah had defamed her. The police also denied that the journalist was abducted and promised to duly investigate the allegations against the publisher.

"The Enugu State Police Command is in receipt of several publications alleging the abduction of an Abuja-based online news publisher, one Madu Onuorah "m". The Command wishes to state that contrary to the allegations, he was duly arrested in Abuja with the assistance of police operatives from Ebonyi State Command and the aid of intelligence, after efforts made to formally invite him failed," the police statement read.

"Furthermore, his arrest was following the receipt of a written petition to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, against him over an alleged defamatory publication he made against a US-based Reverend Sister."