Cross River Governor Otu’s Critic, Denis Odama Released After Days In Illegal Detention | Sahara Reporters
Odama’s release was disclosed on Thursday by lawyer, Festus Ogun, who said the commentator was freed following sustained advocacy over what he described as his “arbitrary detention.”
A Cross River State-based commentator and car dealer, Denis Odama, has been released from detention after days in custody over allegations that he bullied Governor Bassey Otu on social media.
Odama’s release was disclosed on Thursday by lawyer, Festus Ogun, who said the commentator was freed following sustained advocacy over what he described as his “arbitrary detention.”
Ogun, in a statement, said Governor Bassey Otu directed Odama’s immediate release after becoming aware of his detention, which he said was based on “trumped-up cyberbullying allegations.”
“Denis Odama is finally freed from arbitrary detention. No citizen should ordinarily be jailed for speaking truth to power,” Ogun said.
According to him, Odama “was arrested and thrown into the gulags over trumped-up cyberbullying allegations,” adding that a Magistrate had ordered his remand for a number of days.
Ogun further alleged that the petition that led to Odama’s arrest was authored by some appointees of Governor Otu “without the Governor’s consent or knowledge.”
He said the Governor later became aware of Odama’s detention following sustained advocacy and “commendably directed that Odama be released immediately.”
“Upon becoming aware of Odama’s unjust detention through sustained advocacy, yesterday, Governor Bassey Otu commendably directed that Odama be released immediately,” Ogun said.
The lawyer, however, maintained that the arrest should not have happened in the first place, insisting that Odama should not be treated as a criminal for criticising the governor.
“We maintain that his arrest should not have happened in the first place. Odama is not a criminal and shouldn’t be treated as one for merely criticizing Bassey Otu,” he said.
Ogun also described Odama as a citizen who should be allowed to participate in public discourse without intimidation.
“Odama is a citizens and must not be intimidated by strategic lawsuit in order to diminish his public participation. We hope he continues to hold authorities accountable,” he said.
Earlier, SaharaReporters had reported that Abuja-based lawyer and Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum (NBA-YLF), Barrister Etaba Agbor, called for the immediate release of Odama.
Agbor had described Odama as one of the most vocal commentators on governance in Cross River State and urged public officials to tolerate criticism.
The lawyer made the demand in a statement issued on Friday, following reports that Odama had been arrested in Lagos over allegations that he bullied Governor Otu on social media.
Odama was reportedly arrested by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos on Sunday, August 9, with the police reportedly claiming that he had bullied the Cross River governor on social media.
His detention subsequently attracted attention from lawyers and advocates, who questioned the circumstances surrounding his arrest and called for his release.
Odama, a native of Bekwarra Local Government Area of Northern Cross River State, is reportedly a businessman and car dealer currently pursuing a doctoral degree at a university in Lagos.
His release brings to an end the immediate detention arising from the allegations, while Ogun’s statement maintains that Odama should continue to participate in public discourse and hold government officials accountable.