Joseph Mbu, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, FCT has withdrawn charges earlier filed against Amaechi Anakwe, senior reporter with African Independent Television, AIT.
Anakwe was arrested on Thursday and detained at the headquarters of zone 7 upon responding to their invitation over a statement he allegedly made on the previous day describing the AIG as a controversial police officer while presenting a programme on the television station.
He was eventually taken to an Abuja Magistrate court presided over by Chief Magistrate Anthony Ogboi, this Friday and was charged for defamation of charater. But when the case was called, Chijoke Okezie, prosecution counsel, orally applied for the withdrawal of the charge.
John Kalu, the defence counsel who had earlier told the court that he was yet to get a notice of prosecution, did not counter the application but applied for a restraining order baring Mbu or his privies from further harassing or arresting Anakwe.
Relying on the application made by the prosecution lawyer, the court immediately discharged the journalist. Mbu, who is a former Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, had in the last 24 hours, come under criticism for arresting the journalist.
WhatsApp us