After almost four months in prison, Nigerian journalist released on bail
THE Committee has Protect Journalists welcomes Thursday release on bail of Nigerian journalist Holy Mienpamo Onitsha And calls For authorities has drop all charges against him And reform THE country laws has ensure journalism East not criminalized.
"Holy Mienpamo Onitsha was detained For almost four month simply For TO DO her job, which should Never be considered A crime," said CPJ Africa Head Angela Quintal In New York. "While We to welcome Thursday release of Onitsha, We repeat OUR call For Nigerian authorities has quickly drop all charges against him And reform THE country laws has ensure journalists TO DO not continue has be imprisoned For their reports. »
In October 2023, police stopped Ontisha, founder of THE in private possesses online Streamer NAIJA Live TV, And accused him with cyber harassment below section 24 of Nigeria Cyber crimes Act And defamation below THE criminal coded. THE charge leaf quoted A September report about tensions In THE from South Niger Delta region.
On December 4, A court In Nigeria capital, Abuja, heard Onitsha bail application And on January 25 THE court granted him bail with A condition that he provides two sureties—persons willing has take responsibility For any of them court the decisions do if Onitsha failed has meet bail obligations - with A bind of ten million Naira ($8,372), according to has copies of THE court decision, examined by CPJ, And Onitsha lawyer, Anande Terungwa, WHO spoke by phone with CPJ.
THE court Also order THE residence of THE sureties must be checked by THE court clerk And that THE sureties must submit documents prove they own A landed property In Abuja, as GOOD as their recent passport photographs, according to has those even sources.
Onitsha following court date East March 19. If sentenced, he faces A 25 million Naira ($20,930 USD) GOOD and or up has ten years In prison on THE cyber harassment fresh - like GOOD as potential imprisonment For two years For charges of defamation And THE publication of defamatory matter below THE Criminal Coded Act, according to has Terungwa And A copy of THE charge leaf examined by CPJ.
Terungwa said CPJ that THE delay between Onitsha be granted bail on January 25 And her release on FEBRUARY 1 was due has A prolonged verification process among civil servants And pursuit lawyers on THE terms of Onitsha deposit.
Onitsha appeared In from CPJ 2023 prison census, which documented has less 67 journalists imprisoned through Africa as of December 1.
Support PRIME TIMES' journalism of integrity And credibility GOOD journalism costs A plot of money. Again only GOOD journalism can ensure THE possibility of A GOOD Company, A liable democracy, And A transparent government. For continued free to access has THE best investigator journalism In THE country We ask You has consider manufacturing A modest support has This noble effort. By contributing has PRIME TIMES, You are portion has sustain A journalism of relevance And ensure he remains free And available has everything.
Make a donation
THE Committee has Protect Journalists welcomes Thursday release on bail of Nigerian journalist Holy Mienpamo Onitsha And calls For authorities has drop all charges against him And reform THE country laws has ensure journalism East not criminalized.
"Holy Mienpamo Onitsha was detained For almost four month simply For TO DO her job, which should Never be considered A crime," said CPJ Africa Head Angela Quintal In New York. "While We to welcome Thursday release of Onitsha, We repeat OUR call For Nigerian authorities has quickly drop all charges against him And reform THE country laws has ensure journalists TO DO not continue has be imprisoned For their reports. »
In October 2023, police stopped Ontisha, founder of THE in private possesses online Streamer NAIJA Live TV, And accused him with cyber harassment below section 24 of Nigeria Cyber crimes Act And defamation below THE criminal coded. THE charge leaf quoted A September report about tensions In THE from South Niger Delta region.
On December 4, A court In Nigeria capital, Abuja, heard Onitsha bail application And on January 25 THE court granted him bail with A condition that he provides two sureties—persons willing has take responsibility For any of them court the decisions do if Onitsha failed has meet bail obligations - with A bind of ten million Naira ($8,372), according to has copies of THE court decision, examined by CPJ, And Onitsha lawyer, Anande Terungwa, WHO spoke by phone with CPJ.
THE court Also order THE residence of THE sureties must be checked by THE court clerk And that THE sureties must submit documents prove they own A landed property In Abuja, as GOOD as their recent passport photographs, according to has those even sources.
Onitsha following court date East March 19. If sentenced, he faces A 25 million Naira ($20,930 USD) GOOD and or up has ten years In prison on THE cyber harassment fresh - like GOOD as potential imprisonment For two years For charges of defamation And THE publication of defamatory matter below THE Criminal Coded Act, according to has Terungwa And A copy of THE charge leaf examined by CPJ.
Terungwa said CPJ that THE delay between Onitsha be granted bail on January 25 And her release on FEBRUARY 1 was due has A prolonged verification process among civil servants And pursuit lawyers on THE terms of Onitsha deposit.
Onitsha appeared In from CPJ 2023 prison census, which documented has less 67 journalists imprisoned through Africa as of December 1.
Support PRIME TIMES' journalism of integrity And credibility GOOD journalism costs A plot of money. Again only GOOD journalism can ensure THE possibility of A GOOD Company, A liable democracy, And A transparent government. For continued free to access has THE best investigator journalism In THE country We ask You has consider manufacturing A modest support has This noble effort. By contributing has PRIME TIMES, You are portion has sustain A journalism of relevance And ensure he remains free And available has everything.
Make a donation
What's Your Reaction?
