SAN FRANCISCO, January 23, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, began investigation of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Idris Ibrahim, over the unlawful arrest and detention of Tim Elombah, Editor of Elombah.com and Daniel Elombah, publisher of Elombah.com.
The decision to investigate the matter was sequel to the petition written by Online Publishers Association of Nigeria of Nigeria (OPAN) which was presented on the floor of green chamber by Honourable Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Constituency).
Tim has been held since New Year Day illegally by the police on the orders of Idris because of an uncomplimentary opinion article that the website amongst several others published.
While presenting the petition, Azubogu told the House that for the past 23 days, the IGP has detained Tim Elombah unlawfully despite the expiration of a detention order obtained by the Police.
He recalled how officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) stormed the family compound and arrested six males found in the house adding that they were driven to the state SARS headquarters Awkuzu, near Awka.
“It is very instructive that the Police took Tim to Mpape Area Court requesting to be granted 14 days to conclude their investigations. On looking at the facts, the court rejected the 14 days but graciously granted Police seven days,” he stated.
“Unfortunately, after 22 days, Tim Elombah is still in detention and his elder brother, who is the publisher of Elombah.com is on police administrative bail but cannot travel back to london where he resides with his family as the police insisted that he should not travel out of Abuja.”
Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court, on Tuesday, ordered Idris and the police force to release Tim Elombah from detention within 24 hours.
Ruling in a suit seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights, Justice Ajoke set a condition of one reasonable surety with N500, 000 in like sum for the journalist’s freedom.
Tim is seeking N1 billion naira in damages against the Inspector General of Police and the force but it remains unclear whether the Buhari administration will comply with the ruling.
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