The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the immediate release of human rights activist Chinonso Uba, also known as Nonso Nwa.
Uba, a journalist and radio presenter who is also the coordinator of the Protect the Weak International Foundation (PROWIF), a human rights group based in Owerri, Imo State, was abducted on July 30 by masked gunmen after he finished presenting his morning program on OsisaFM radio station.
Uba has been in police detention since then. On Wednesday, the police arraigned him on two counts of insulting Governor Hope Uzodinma and Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo. His lawyers have denied the allegations, saying that he is being held for political reasons.
Human rights groups have said that Uba is being held illegally and is being denied access to his family and doctor.
In a fundamental rights suit brought by his lawyer, P.A.N. Ejiofor, in Suit Number FCT/HC/CV/7128/2023, Justice E.N. Okpe of the Federal High Court ruled that Uba’s arrest, detention, and torture are illegal, unconstitutional, reckless, and a violent infringement of his fundamental human rights.
The court also ordered his immediate release within 24 hours.
