SAN FRANCISCO, January 25, (THEWILL) – The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Police Force have released Tim Elombah, Editor of Elombah.com, an online news website, following Wednesday’s order of the Abuja High Court, which approved bail for the journalist.
Tim, who regained freedom at about 4.pm local time, had sued to enforce his fundamental rights and is also seeking N2bn against the IGP and Police for damages following his 25-day incarceration. Also, both international and local civil organisations had demanded for his immediate release.
THEWILL recalls that Tim was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) along with the Publisher of the newspaper, Daniel Elombah and their younger brother Izuchukwu Elombah in the wee hours of New Year’s Day in their family home in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Daniel was later released on bail while Tim remained in detention.
An Area Court Judge in Abuja had earlier remanded Tim in police custody for 7 days only but the remand expired and the Police continued to detain him illegally.
Findings revealed that the Elombah brothers were arrested for an opinion article titled “IGP Ibrahim Idris’s Unending Baggage of Controversies” written by one Eboiwei Dickson, that was published on another website – opinion Nigeria – which the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris found offensive.
The House of Representatives this week launched an investigation into the unlawful arrest and detention of the Elombah brothers.
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).
Also, solicitors to Daniel and Tim wrote an open petition to President Muhammadu Buhari over the Illegal Arrest, Detention and Trial of both men.
The petition, dated Monday, January 15, 2018 and signed by Festus Keyamo, SAN, was titled ‘Open Petition Against The Inspector-General Of Police, Ibrahim Idris, In Respect Of High-Handedness And Abuse Of Office In Ordering The Illegal Arrest, Detention And Trial Of Online Journalists (The Elombah Brothers).
The Elombah brothers as well as OPAN have launched multiple law suits across courts in Anambra and Abuja against the police and the federal government challenging the Cyber Law and the powers of the state to detain online journalists indiscriminately.
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