COALITION OF SOUTH EAST YOUTH LEADERS (COSEYL).
PRESS CONFERENCE
Unlawful Arrest Of Imo Journalist Plot To Gag The Press.
... Call For His Immediate Release.
The attention of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone has been drawn to an unlawful arrest and detention of Mr Theodore Chinonso Uba popularly known as Nonso Nkwa a journalist working with Osisa FM in Owerri, Imo state by the Nigerian Police and whisked to Abuja for performing his constitutional duties as a journalist.
The intimidation, harassment and unlawful arrest of Nonso Nkwa is a plot to gag the press so that they will not perform their constitutional duties and we condemn it in its entirety.
Journalist are the watchdog of our society and any attack on them is an attack on all Nigerians and we not allow it to happen.
We call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to immediately and unconditionally release the detained journalist who from all indication is a victim of persecution and intimidation for performing his constitutional duties.
We demand that compensation be paid to him for denying him freedom to life and human dignity as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
We on journalist all over the world, the International community, the United Nations, all lovers of democracy and all Nigerians to stand up in defense of democracy that is on the verge of collapse in Nigeria.
The press is the corner stone of any democracy and an attack on them is an attack our democracy.
We warn that an attack on journalists should not be heard again. Enough said!
Signed:
Comrade Goodluck Ibem
President General
Comrade Okey Nwaoru
Publicity Secretary
