Chude Nnamdi
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Nigeria Police Force has revealed the reason for its arrest of Chude Franklin Nnamdi, a popular figure on social media.
Nnamdi was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, last Saturday.
His arrest generated controversy on social media, with many in the dark over why the police picked him up.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, finally disclosed that the social media figure was arrested for alleged cyberstalking.
Adejobi said the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC), Abuja, is investigating the allegation after it received a complaint through a petition.
However, the police spokesperson did not disclose the identity of the petitioner or the details of the alleged acts.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi
The police said some of Nnamdi’s activities on social media contravene the provision of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and other criminal laws.
“The Nigeria Police hereby confirms that one Mr. Chude Franklin Nnamdi with Twitter handle ‘@chude__’ 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, 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,” the statement reads.
“Furthermore, a prima facie case has been established against him while the case file has been forwarded to the Force Legal Department for further action.
“The Nigeria Police Force therefore urges members of the public to familiarize themselves with provisions of the law and be aware of the penalties for violating them most especially cybercrime laws with the new trends in the digital media space.”
Cyberstalking is a crime committed when someone uses the internet and other technologies to harass or stalk another person online.
Although cyberstalking is a broad term for online harassment, it can include defamation, false accusations, teasing, and even extreme threats.
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi
Earlier on Tuesday, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he had made “due enquiries” about Nnamdi’s arrest and he found out that it was a “further confirmation of Nigeria’s poor and declining performance in the Rule of Law, Voice and Accountability, and other governance indicators.”
In a series of tweets via his verified Twitter handle, Obi hinted that the social media influencer was arrested at the behest of a politician.
“While I appreciate that the freedoms must be exercised in line with the rule of law, arresting Nigerians for tweeting on their leaders and those in authority decimates the opportunity for inclusive governance and accountability which are highly needed in a developing country like Nigeria,” the former Anambra governor tweeted.
“As we are all Nigerians and Nigeria is our only country, we must continue to make efforts to build a better Nation where justice, fairness, equity, tolerance, prosperity, accountable leadership and rule of law shall reign with no Nigerian feeling suppressed or oppressed. As leaders, it is important for us to know that there are several consequences of occupying public office.”
He, therefore, appealed to all concerned to “please treat the issue most objectively on rule of law, and compassionately release the young man in question.”
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