The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25th election, Peter Obi has called for the “compassionate” release of the social media influencer, Chude Franklin Nnamdi with the Twitter handle ‘@chude__’, arrested by the police in Anambra State.
Kanyi Daily reported that the Nigeria Police Force confirmed it arrested Nnamdi for cyberstalking.
Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon and posted on the force’s Twitter handle.
Adejobi said Chude Nnamdi was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on the 18th of March, 2023, and he is being investigated by the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja.
He said the suspect was picked for cyberstalking, pursuant to a complaint received via a petition, about his activities on social media which contravenes the provision of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and other criminal laws.
Some users on social media had alleged that Chude Nnamdi was arrested based on a petition written by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state.
The Anambra governor, however, denied any involvement. He added that the state government gave no such directive.
Peter Obi while reacting to the incident in a statement on his Twitter handle, said he was informed that Chude was apprehended because “he tweeted against the people in government”.
Peter Obi called on “all concerned to please treat the issue compassionately to release the young man in question”.
“Yesterday my attention was drawn to the arrest of a social media influencer, Mr. Nnamdi Chude. In my usual inquiry, I wanted to know the offense of the young man only to be told that it was because he tweeted against the people in government,” he said.
“I believe people in government know very well that there is the right to freedom of expression for every individual in our country, And they should also not be oblivious to the fact that they as public servants are bound by rule of law, and the symbol of rule of law is that rules must always be respected for the sake of our society.
“I am therefore appealing to all concerned to please treat the issue compassionately to release the young man in question.
“It’s also necessary for me to admonish that people should know that when you occupy public office, there are several consequences of occupying that office. People will have their thoughts on you. You have the right to reply but not for you to use your office arbitrarily or in unrestrained use of authority.”
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour stated this while addressing the media.
