Calabar, Nigeria – A broadcast journalist, Mr JoePaul Obi Osowo has been put behind bars by the Nigeria Police Force in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
Converseer reports that Obi, who is a radio host at FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, was arrested on December 9 by officers from the Zone 6 Police Station, Calabar.
The arrest of the broadcast journalist has raised concerns with many alleging it may be unconnected to a Facebook post he made about the Nigeria Police on December 4, 2024.
The post titled “The Nigeria Police Force in Calabar on Rampage again,” accused officers of the Force of extortion and robbery from a student and a water engineer.
The post read: “Relatively few days from a scandalous unlawful arrest, detained and extortion of the sum of eighty-six thousand, seven hundred Naira (₦86,700) from a 20 years old Miss Sarah Manyi Ezekiel of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Department of Journalism and Media studies, Men of the Nigeria Police Force PUFF ADDER Squared yesterday 3rd of December 2024, at about 2:55 pm indiscriminately picked out Mr Matthew Paul, a Delta State indigene living in Calabar, doing his genuine business of Water Engineering and drilling, a skill he acquired from his family business.
“After they brought him out of a Tricycle popularly known as KEKE, at Marian by Goldie, by Mayne Avenue the Calabar metropolis, they cracked their guns threatened to kill him if he did not give them money, they searched his phone, took him to Cultural Centre, with the aim to thoroughly beat him and detain him, he succumbed and made a transfer of ₦100,000 to a Moneypoint account. They then freed him and let him go; while all this was happening, his phone was buzzing with calls from a client he was to go fix his water supply system.
“Cross River is a tourism destination, I call on HE Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s support group to nip this at the board, also the Commissioner of Police in Cross state, Cross River State Police Command should do the needful, to assure the general public, especially visitors of their safety during this yielded season.
“Attached is the transaction details.”
A Journalist and the Managing Editor of CrossRiverWatch, Mr Jonathan Ugbal, who has been in touch with the Obi in the police cell, said: “Obi is in high spirits, but he lamented a few things which he expressed confidence that will be sorted out soon while we fight towards his release.”
“He sent a couple of messages, which will be delivered, and he will speak in due course as we keep demanding that he be released immediately. However, right now, all inquiries can be made through his counsel, Paul Atsu Esq,” Ugbal, a human rights activist, who has faced gagging while carrying out his journalistic work, said.
After so much public outcry and social media posts, the Zone 6 Police on Friday, released a statement confirming they are holding Obi behind bars.
The statement with reference number: “No. CZ: 5300/ZPC.6/ZPRO/VOL.4/73”, signed by SP Nelson A. Okpabi, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, claimed the arrest of Obi was in response to a petition filed against him by his cousin.
It also said the assertion that the broadcaster has been held against the rule of law is misleading, adding, “For the record, Mr Osowo is currently in lawful custody at the Zone 6 Police facility following a court order. His detention relates to an ongoing investigation into allegations of fraud and obtaining money under false pretences, as contained in a petition submitted by his cousin.
“Contrary to the allegations of misconduct, the Zone 6 Police Headquarters wishes to reaffirm its commitment to professional and ethical standards in handling this case. The investigation is being conducted transparently and in accordance with due process.”
The statement added that “Mr Osowo has been duly served with the court charge sheet in the presence of his legal counsel and is scheduled to appear before the court on Monday, 16th December 2024.”
