An Ebonyi-based journalist, Prince Anyigor Maduabuchi, has reportedly fallen critically ill and collapsed at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, following his arrest and secret arraignment for allegedly criticising Governor Francis Nwifuru on Facebook; Throwback Times Nigeria has learnt.
Sources at the prison told reporters that Maduabuchi, who works with Just Online Eagles Media, has been battling a heart condition. “He is critically sick and collapsed earlier today. His health is really bad; he told us he had a heart disease before being arrested,” one source revealed.
The Facebook post
Maduabuchi was arrested on September 25 by operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command’s Crack Squad. He was reportedly held for eight days before being secretly arraigned on October 3, without legal representation, after which a magistrate ordered his remand in the correctional facility.
“The case was adjourned to October 14, but the court has not sat since then,” a source familiar with the matter stated.
Observers and rights advocates have condemned the manner of the arrest and trial, describing it as a clampdown on press freedom and free expression in Ebonyi State.
Source: Throwback Times
