Alerts | Arrest/detention/charges

Police arrest and charge journalist under the Cybercrime Act

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On October 10, 2023, police arrested Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, journalist and founder of NAIJA Live TV, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state in south Nigeria, over a report he published about the alleged killing of a man outside of the office of the Presidential Amnesty Program. The police detained the journalist and flew him to Abuja the following day. On October 17, the police charged him with cyberstalking and defamation under the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act, which may include a fine of 25 million naira, the equivalent of 30,000 euros, and prison terms of up to ten years and two years, respectively.

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