COURT ADJOURNS SUIT ON DETENTION OF JOURNALIST

The Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State Capital yesterday adjourned hearing till the 20 th of March 2009 in a suit filled against the Imo State governor Sir Ikedi Ohakim and the State Police Commissioner, Mr Ilozuoke by Maximus Uba, over his interrogation and brief detention by the Nigerian Police in Owerri.

Mr Maximus Uba, Freelance Journalist and Public Relations Practitioner based in Mbaise Imo State had sued the State Governor, Sir Ohakim for using the Nigerian Police to harass, intimidate and cause him bodily harm over an alleged case of defamation reported by the Governor against Mr Uba. The petitioner therefore wants the Federal High Court to enforce his fundamental right to expression and liberty by seeking that no prima facie case has been made out against him to warrant his arrest and detention by the respondents and that his detention by the respondent based on facts of the case is unlawful. Mr Uba then sought a perpetual order of the court to restrain the respondents or their agents from arresting and or detaining him based on the facts of this case. Besides he is seeking a public apology from the respondents for his unlawful arrest and detention as well as leave for all parties to stay on all actions based on the facts of the case pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.

When the case came up for hearing on Thursday Feb 19 2009, Mr Uba represented by his lawyer Onyeneke Akachi Esq moved that since the respondents or their lawyers were not in court he would ask for adjournment of the matter. The lawyer said the respondents were served last week and wondered why they would prefer to shun court orders. Barrister Onyeneke revealed that despite the court orders, the Police authorities have been harassing his client on telephone asking him to come to their office or face arrest, wherever he was found.

The trail Judge, Justice C.V. Nwokorie then adjourned the matter till 20 March to enable all parties prepare and appear before him. It will be recalled that the Governor of Imo State, Sir Ikedi Ohakim had through his lawyer, Ken Njemanze (SAN) written a petition to the Police claiming that over 175 articles written by the Petitioner was capable of inciting the Imo Public against him Sir Ikedi Ohakim besides lowering his self esteem and reputation and making him look like a jester.

The Imo Police command thereafter invited Mr Uba who was interrogated and briefly detained and given bail. Mr. Uba afraid that the Police had taken sides with the Governor then sued both the Governor and the Imo State Police Command at the Federal High Court presided over by Justice C.V. Chikwere, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights.