Public Affairs Analyst, Mr. Nwachineke Chibuike, was on Wednesday, detained by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, following a petition filed against him by the Executive Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. Chima Boniface Njoku.
The petition was filed through the Chairman's lawyers, Grace Nwadiuto Chukwu & Co., of No. 13 Mbonu Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt, accusing Nwachineke of cyberbullying and other related offences.
Acting on the petition, the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, invited Nwachineke for questioning. He honoured the invitation in company of his lawyer, Barr. Chioma Choko, and a senior journalist and Publisher of Port Harcourt Plain Truth Newspaper.
At the SCID, he was asked to make a statement and was subsequently detained for further investigation.
Sources at the SCID disclosed that following pleas by Barr. Choko, who is also an indigene of Etche, the Council Chairman in a fatherly disposition intervened and requested the police to grant him bail. He was thereafter released.
Reacting after his release, Nwachineke said his engagement with the police was cordial. He appreciated Barr. Choko, Journalist Emmanuel Kanayo, Mr. Clinton Anaele and Mr. Classy Chibunna Omesrum for their solidarity.
He also expressed profound gratitude to his boss and mentor, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, for his unwavering support, as well as his brother, Sopuruchi Onyesoh.
Meanwhile, some public affairs analysts have criticized the Chairman for using the police to arrest a critic, warning that such action could stifle free speech and constructive discourse in Etche.
Nwachineke reaffirmed his commitment to truth and accountability.
