Journalist in Police Custody Over Story on Akpabio

December 4, 2018
Journalist in Police Custody Over Story on Akpabio

By Dipo Olowookere

A journalist based in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, Mr Obong Ndutim, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, reports reaching us said.

Mr Ndutim is the publisher of an online news portal, FactsReporter.com, and was arrested by men of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the NPF over an article published on his platform titled CBN Probes Akpabio’s N865b Unrecorded Despites in Three Banks.

The local journalists was apprehended in the early hours of Monday, December 3, 2018 after Senator Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, wrote a petition to the police against him, alleging blackmail and defamation of his character.

Spokesperson for the Police Command in Uyo, DSP Odiko MacDon, who confirmed the arrest, said Obong Ndutim was arrested in connection with an alleged publishing of fake and damaging stories-cum-blackmailing of Mr Akpabio.

The police said the senator had earlier filed a complaint against the accused at the Uyo Police Command weeks back.

“Based on the statement and published story by the accused, we have thus arrested him at his residence on Monday,” a senior police officer said.

An insider also added that Obong Ndutim’s platform, (FactsReporters.com) has been using as tools to fuel negative information to the public to propagate false allegations on Senator Akpabio and his political associates.

‘This is not the first story; there are several other news mentions published on the platform ditto: Akpabio, Ekere plot to sponsor attack on Gov’s billboards, instigate insecurity uncovered published on October 25, 2018 by Michael Asanga.

“Mr Emmanuel: Senator Akpabio is set to destroy Oro Nation; published on October 8, 2018, by Ulap Kingsley Offiong. Essien Udim chaos,Akpabio abducts AKHA aspirant for opposing cult group; published on October 3, 2018 by Editor; Senator Godswill Akpabio: The Demystification of a Political Godfather; published on August 13, 2018 by Ikennna Ekezie, from Port Harcourt,’ the source disclosed.

Mr Obong has been remanded in police custody and would be prosecuted in court, the police said.

Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan.

Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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