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Groups Condemn Detention Of Journalist Akuwudike Over Viral Interview Alleging Akpabio Smear Campaign, Demand Immediate Release
Akuwudike was reportedly arrested at around 3 a.m. on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State, shortly after an interview he gave on the Adeola Fayehun YouTube channel went viral.
A coalition of press freedom and human rights organisations has condemned the arrest and detention of journalist and media activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike by the Nigeria Police Force, calling for his immediate release and respect for due process.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, the groups— including the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding (Kaduna), Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), and several others— described Akuwudike’s arrest as arbitrary and politically motivated.
Akuwudike was reportedly arrested at around 3 a.m. on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State, shortly after an interview he gave on the Adeola Fayehun YouTube channel went viral.
In the interview, he alleged that he was paid ₦2.5 million by Sandra Duru (aka Prof Mgbeke) to produce defamatory content against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. He also implicated Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the political and financial sponsor behind the alleged smear campaign.
“His arrest, occurring in the dead of night and without any clear charge or recourse to legal counsel, raises deep concerns about political interference, suppression of press freedom, and the violation of constitutional rights guaranteed under Sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” the coalition said.
“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of intimidation and criminalization of journalists and whistleblowers who dare to expose high-level corruption and political misconduct.”
“The fact that this arrest follows closely on the heels of explosive revelations implicating senior government officials lends credence to fears that the police are being used as a tool of political persecution,” it added.
The coalition criticised the police for detaining Akuwudike without clear charges and denying him access to legal counsel, calling the move a violation of his constitutional rights under Sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The groups warned that the arrest fits into a worrying pattern of intimidation and criminalisation of journalists and whistleblowers exposing corruption and political misconduct.
They demanded Akuwudike’s “immediate and unconditional release of Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, or a prompt arraignment before a competent court of law if any legitimate charges exist”.
They also called for respect for his rights to legal representation and family access, along with a “transparent and independent investigation into the claims made by Akuwudike concerning the alleged smear campaign and the involvement of high-ranking officials”.
The coalition further urged the Nigeria Police Force and Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun to uphold the rule of law and refrain from using law enforcement as a tool to silence dissenting voices.
The statement concluded with a call on civil society, media organisations, and the international community to remain vigilant and speak out in defence of press freedom and democratic accountability in Nigeria.
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Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.
Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.
The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.
The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.
During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.
Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.
“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos
Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.
According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.
He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.
“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.
The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said
The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said
According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.
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Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion
A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.
The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.
“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.
The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.
The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.
Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.
A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

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