Human rights concerns have trailed the arrest and continued detention of Polycarp Obinna, a pro–Ebonyi State government writer, over an alleged libelous publication against the Secretary to the State Government, Nwoba Chika.
Obinna was reportedly picked up by security agents in Ebonyi State following claims that his publication defamed the state government.
The arrest was later tacitly acknowledged through a Facebook post by one of the parties involved.
Reacting to the development, activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, condemned the detention, describing it as a troubling attempt to silence free speech.
While expressing his personal distaste for what he called “shoe-cleaning and praise-singing” of government officials by young citizens who should instead hold leaders accountable, Idam maintained that no one deserves to be persecuted for expressing opinions.
According to him, the irony of the situation lies in the fact that Obinna, widely known as a government supporter, is now allegedly being targeted by the same system he defended.
“The arrest and detention of Polycarp Obinna for publishing information, whether mistaken or intentional, of public interest is a blatant attempt to suppress fair speech and deny the public access to vital information,” Idam said.
He further warned against the growing use of the Cybercrimes Act to intimidate critics and stifle expression, stressing that freedom of speech remains a constitutionally guaranteed right.
Idam emphasized that defamation is a civil matter, not a criminal offence, and should be resolved in civil courts where all parties can present their cases freely, without intimidation or abuse of power.
“The courts must resist being used as tools against free speech,” he said, calling for the immediate release of Obinna to reunite with his family.
The incident has once again ignited debate over press freedom, misuse of security agencies, and shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
A statement by Idam reads: “My attention was drawn to the arrest and detention of one Polycarp Obinna in Ebonyi State, who is said to be a pro–Ebonyi State government writer. According to reports, Obinna was arrested in connection with a libelous publication he allegedly made against the Secretary to the Government of the state, including a government critic, Nwoba Chika.
“This incident was later tacitly or expressly confirmed albeit pridefully by the later’s post on his Facebook page.
“My resentment toward shoe-cleaning and praise-singing of government functionaries by youthful citizens who ought to be offering constructive criticism to spur them into fulfilling their duties is hereby preserved.
“However, it is my belief that such pro-government individuals deserve to be protected and defended by citizens whenever they are unjustly targeted by their enablers in government.
“The arrest and continued detention of the said Polycarp Obinna simply for publishing either mistakingly or intentionally an information that is of public interest against a government that he is said to have defended all his life is an attempt to suppress fair speech and deprive the public from a vital information that the young man may have to give the public.”
Polycarp Obinna: Ebonyi blogger’s arrest sparks outrage as lawyer calls for release