It was earlier reported that Governor Umahi ordered the arrest of Godfrey Chikwere over Facebook posts he shared about Nigerian politicians and the army.
In a petition signed by Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Orji Uchenna Orji to the police commissioner, the journalist was accused of “hate speech, incisive publication and cyberbullying.”
Following his arrest last Saturday, aggrieved youths and activists in the state had organized a protest to demand his freedom.
They also lambasted the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for keeping mute while its member is being persecuted by the state government despite the guarantee for freedom of speech in Nigeria’s constitution.
According to Igbere TV, Chikwere was released on Monday after the state commissioner accused him of sharing fake news and hate speech.
Chikwere, who is also an aide to Senator Obinna Ogba, has been hospitalized following the treatment meted on him in police custody.
