NLC, NUJ, Others Urge FG To Call Mbu To Order …Police Deny Detaining AIT Reporter

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the detention of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) journalist-cum-presenter, Amaechi Anakwe on the orders of Assistant Inspector General of Police in Abuja, Mbu Joseph Mbu, warning that “we shall resist any attempt to gag the press or harass any one going about their lawful duty in a peaceful and lawful manner”.
NLC, in the statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo- Eson, said “It is too soon to forget that the media played a leading role in securing the fourth republic for Nigerians. That task was not accomplished by playing the lapdog of everyone”.
While recalling that Mbu said, “The offence of Anakwe is that he had referred to Mbu as “controversial”, which in our view is neither derogatory nor libelous. Even if the word or sentence were otherwise, there are lawful channels of redress. Mbu cannot be judge and prosecutor in his own case,” the congress asserted, stressing that “Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to which we are all answerable in spite of our station in life”.
It argued that “the arrest and detention of Anakwe is therefore a calculated attempt to muzzle the press and free speech in the democracy. And it does not appear to be an isolated case as a few months earlier, this same Mbu violently broke up the Bring-Back-the -Chibok- Girls Campaign on the basis of a non-existent law, drawing international condemnation of the government.
“His (Mr. Mbu’s) antecedents in Rivers State from where he was deployed to Abuja are not less sinister. Rather than receive a reprimand, Mbu was rewarded with a choice posting and promotion, with not a few speculating that he is being positioned to be IGP,” the congress added.
NLC further recalled “A few weeks ago, a chest- thumping Mbu had boasted at his hand-over ceremony that he was “the lion that tamed the tiger of Rivers State.
The umbrella labour union explained that it is expedient to “Sound a note of caution on Mr Mbu. His above-the-law attitude to the work of law enforcement gives him out as one that is more inclined to promoting anarchy than the rule of law”.
According to the NLC, “He (Mbu) does not seem to represent the mainstream 21st century police, if his routine primitive, partisan and primordial outbursts are anything to go by. He is a serial embarrassment to the Police Force we need,” stressing that what Nigeria needs “is a Police Force that is concerned with public good, law, order and justice. We doubt Mbu is in the right company”.
Also, for failing to adhere strictly with the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill recently signed into law by the legislature and the executive, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for severe sanctions against the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 7, Division, Joseph Mbu, for illegal arrest, detention and charging to court Mr. Amaechi Anakwe last week.
Addressing the media yesterday in Abuja, the NUJ President, Mohammed Garuba, said that the union views the action as an affront to the freedom of expression as well as freedom of the press which runs contrarily to the FOI Act just passed into law.
He, therefore, requested the police authorities to sanction Mbu, including sacking him from the Nigerian police.
“Although the case has been withdrawn by the police and Mbu, the NUJ has officially written to the Acting Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to ensure that Mbu is punished for such an evil act against our colleague. Thank God that organisations like the NBA, NMA and civil society groups has equally joined the media to call for the sack of Mbu.”
Garuba stated that the NUJ will not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet for whatever reason.
“We have written to the acting inspector-general of police, we have also written to the Police Service Commission to ensure that Mbu is punished accordingly.”
The NUJ president explained that the union expects the police to partner the media to ensure that insecurity, kidnappings and killings are brought to a halt rather than engaging in unnecessary arrest of innocent journalists.
He said NUJ is confident that the acting Inspector-General of Police would ensure justice in the matter.
“He is an officer of proven integrity, he has been ensuring a cordial relationship with the media at every position he has held up till now. We believe he will do the right thing.”
Garuba added that should the police authorities fail to act accordingly, the union will have no option than to embark on mass protest and strikes in Abuja.
Similarly, some senior lawyers and civil society organisations in the country have called for Mbu’s sack.
Nigerians from all walks of life have expressed disgust over the many infractions committed by Mbu.
Among them are two distinguished legal practitioners and Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, Itse Sagay and Mike Ozekhome.
In separate interviews yesterday, the duo condemned Mbu’s ill treatment of Anakwe in the strongest of terms.
Similarly, a Port Harcourt-based civil society group, Doing Democracy Movement-Nigeria (DDM-N), has invited well-meaning Nigerians to join the campaign to get Mbu out of the Nigeria Police.
The DDM-N’s Convener, Anyakwee Nsirimovu, made this known in Port Harcourt while speaking with newsmen on the controversial arrest of the broadcast journalist.
Anakwe had described Mbu as “controversial” during an interview programme on the AIT and was subsequently arrested, detained and prosecuted on the orders of the AIG.