The Leader Newspaper’s Editorial.
With the arrest of popular broadcaster, of Chinonso Uba, a broadcaster at Ozisa Radio Owerri, we wonder who else is on Government list!
Apparently, there is no love lost between fo Government and the media, even in Imo State. Anyone who thinks otherwise should consider the commando-style used in arresting, a nonviolent, unarmed, simple and harmless radio host, Chinonso- Uba, Nonso Nkwa, on July 27.
Not even in the days of the notorious Bendel State criminal, Lawrence Anini did we see such arrest and indignity. Yet Government relies on the media to get its message across.
Nonso Nkwa may have provoked Government one way or another – But that is what the media does as the people’s watchdog and what it does to protect the people’s right to know. What Imo Government has done, however, is to kill a fly with a sledge hammer.
Another thing it has succeeded in doing is sending a strong signal to the media and Imolites that it is, indeed, an intolerant Government. This flies in the face of its claim that it is a Government that obeys the rule of law! Rule of law is inviting Chinonso Uba to talk with the police and not abducting or apprehending him like a criminal.
The broadcaster was dragged out of his vehicle on his way home from work and whisked away to Abuja, on a private jet plane. What a way to arrest someone! We’re not holding brief for Nonso, he is capable of defending himself. We only condemn the way and manner he was abducted.
We did not know that a common broadcaster could pose such a threat to Government. We did not know that a Nonso Nkwa could be treated as a security risk, deserving of such expensive and high profile arrest, in a country and state where the economy is on its belly! We condemn the act and urge every Imolite to do so.
If Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Government think this is an achievement, it is not. Intimidating the media never works!
According to the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, the way and manner of Nonso Nkwa’s arrest is not important. We beg to differ! Nonso is not a criminal and the funds deployed in the ‘rambo – style’ arrest could be used to ease the plight of a dozen or more jobless and frustrated Imo youths.
According to Emelumba, Nonso Nkwa was arrested because of a defamatory statement that Governor Hope Uzodimma and Alhaji Asari Dokubo were responsible for the killings in the state, and that Government as a law abiding institution, sought the help of the police to investigate and substantiate the veracity or otherwise of the allegation by arresting Nonso on his way from work and whisking him to Abuja.
Is Emelumba saying that Nonso’s offence is so serious that Imo State police could not handle it?The commissioner has at least admitted that there are killings in Imo State.
Is Nonso responsible for them? Has he been caught with firearm? Asari Dokubo was the one brandishing arms on national television, and threatening Ndigbo.
Imo Government should, please, stop chasing shadow and release Chinonso Uba!
