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Uwazuruike Takes Imo Police to Court Over Invitation

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By Comrade Ijeomah Anthony, Minister of Information,
18th October 2025

Owerri: In a bold reaffirmation of his long-standing commitment to peace and the rule of law, Chief Dr. Ralph Uwazuruike, founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and leader of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), has instituted legal action against the Imo State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force over what he described as a politically motivated invitation aimed at curtailing his fundamental rights.

The suit, filed at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division, seeks the enforcement of his fundamental rights to liberty, freedom of movement, and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under Sections 35, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap 10, LFN 1990.

The case, filed through his counsel, Barr. M.O. Anyanwu of Fidei Deum Attorneys, Equal Right Chambers, Owerri, is between Chief Raphael Uwazuruike (Applicant) and ACP Oladimeji Odeyiwa (Commander, Tiger Base, Owerri), ASP John Ebute, ASP Eze Jet, Inspector Alice Zakari, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission (Respondents).

According to the originating motion, Uwazuruike is seeking, among other reliefs:

1. A declaration that the police invitation dated October 16, 2025, directing him to appear at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base), Owerri, on October 20, 2025 — the same day slated for the nationwide peaceful protest demanding the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu — constitutes a gross violation of his constitutional rights to liberty and freedom of movement.

2. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further harassing, inviting, or attempting to arrest or detain him over what he described as a “concocted allegation” of criminal invasion, forgery, and willful damage.

3. An order of compensation mandating the respondents jointly and severally to pay the sum of ₦100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) as general damages for the violation of his fundamental rights.

In his supporting affidavit, Uwazuruike stated that he had lived peacefully in Owerri for years without any prior police invitation until after his public declaration on October 8, 2025, to join the peaceful protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release. He deposed that the sudden invitation, delivered to his residence on October 16, was clearly intended to prevent his participation in the October 20 rally.

“I have not committed any offence by volunteering to join a peaceful protest,” Uwazuruike stated in his affidavit. “The invitation is a mere ploy to arrest, detain, and intimidate me because of my public stand for peace and justice.”

His counsel, in a written address to the court, argued that the police invitation violates the provisions of Sections 35 and 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and freedom of movement, and that the timing of the letter “reveals a deliberate intent to restrict the Applicant’s civic and constitutional rights.”

“The action of the police, coming just days after Uwazuruike’s press statement in support of a peaceful protest, is unconstitutional, unlawful, and a blatant attempt to silence a voice of peace,” Barr. Anyanwu submitted.

Observers have noted that the case represents not just a personal legal defense but also a broader test of Nigeria’s commitment to fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms.

Chief Uwazuruike, known globally for his advocacy of non-violence in the Biafra self-determination movement, reiterated that his response would remain lawful and peaceful. “Peace is not cowardice,” he maintained. “I will continue to seek justice through legitimate and constitutional means.”

The matter is expected to come up for hearing at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri, in the coming days.

As the legal process unfolds, many continue to watch closely how the Nigerian authorities will respond — whether by upholding constitutional liberties or by deepening the culture of suppression against peaceful civic activism.

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

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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

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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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Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie Allegedly Re-Arrested Over Alleged Refusal To Pay Lawyer Who Secured Her Bail (Video)

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Angela Okorie, the Nigerian actress, has reportedly been re-arrested over allegations that she refused to pay the lawyer who secured her bail from Suleja Prison.

Angela was re-arrested at the Suleja prison on Tuesday, immediately she was released on bail.

This came less than an hour after actor Stanley Ontop raised the alarm over an alleged plan to re-arrest the actress after release on Tuesday.

Speaking in a video on Instagram, actress Doris Ogala who said she is already on her way to the police station, stated that the actress was re-arrested by an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, for refusing to pay the N5 million agreed fee to secure her bail.

Doris said; “You see, one thing is for someone to cut their clothes according to their size. Angela has been arrested again. As a matter of fact, I’m going to the police station now. You see, when Angela was arrested by Mercy, she called a friend of her or village person. I don’t know how they relate. To help her get a SAN.

“And the SAN charged them N5 million. I think the SAN was the one who even facilitated the bail and all that. Now when Angela knew that they have granted her bail according to the lady, Angela started saying that she didn’t ask her to get a SAN and she wasn’t going to pay the money, and meanwhile this lady has deposited.”

Recall that Angela, who was granted bail on Friday after her arrest by Mercy Johnson over alleged defamation, regained her freedom few minutes ago after perfecting her bail conditions.

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