Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State council has described as fake the release signed by one Precious Nwadike and Ori Martins on behalf of the union calling for the release of Chinonso Uba, popularly known as Nonso Nkwa.
Nonso Nkwa was last Thursday arrested by the operatives of the state Police command, Owerri and subsequently transferred to the Force Headquarters on petition from the Imo State government for defaming it by accusing the government of working with Asari Dokubo, a militia leader, to unleash violence in the state.
In a letter copied to NUJ National President; NUJ Vice President, Zone C.; Director, State Security Service and Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Imo NUJ council, Comr. Ifeanyi Nwanguma and Treasure Ihechi- Nwamah, neither Nwadike nor Nonso Nkwa is a journalist and member of the council.
The union also urged the Department of State Security, DSS to immediately arrest and prosecute Nwadike and Ori Martins for alleged impersonation.
The letter reads, "The attention of Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council has been drawn to a fake Press Release signed by one Precious Nwadike and Ori Martins presumably on behalf of the NUJ, calling for the release of Chinonso Uba who is currently facing criminal libel charges at Force Police Headquarters, Abuja.
Imo State NUJ Council wishes to state clearly that:
1. The general public should please disregard the fake Press Release as it did not emanate from NUJ, Imo State Council.
2. That Precious Nwadike who is issuing the fake Press Release is not even a journalist.
3. NUJ, Imo Council challenges Precious Nwadike to publish his journalism qualification and see if he will not face forgery charges immediately.
4. That Chinonso Uba, from our records is not a journalist and member of the NUJ.
5. As a staff of a broadcast media outfit, Chinonso Uba should be a member of Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU).
6. NUJ as a responsible professional body has established procedures for intervention on matters like this concerning her members.
7. NUJ, Imo Council calls on the DSS to investigate the duo of Precious Nwadike and Ori Martins as both of them are fake journalists and not members of the NUJ.
