*Vociferous CUPP spokesperson just released by the police
The spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere was on Monday released by police authorities in Nigeria following a ruling by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Bwari, Abuja.
The court presided by Justice Musa Othman had ordered the unconditional release of Ugochinyere on Monday after days of his arrest. Ugochinyere is a strong critic of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressive Congress (APC) party.
In his pronouncement, Justice Musa Othman ordered that “in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, directing the 5th defendant (police) or any officer under his control or command to release the applicant, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere forthwith and unconditionally from unlawful and illegal detention, a product of disobedience of a lawful and subsisting order of the court.”
The judge made the order after Ugochinyere’s lawyer, Chibuzor Ezike, moved an exparte motion, praying for his client’s unconditional release. The CUPP spokesperson was on June 18, 2020 arrested by the police in Abuja for accusing the leadership of the House of Representatives of collecting $10m bribe from American billionaire, Bill Gates, to pass the controversial infectious disease control bill.
Meanwhile, the police also arraigned Ugochinyere before a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja on four counts defamation of character of the person of the Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court subsequently granted bail to him in the sum of N200,000 with a surety who must not be less than level eight officer.
The court, court adjourned trial till July 16 however directed the police not to re-arrest the defendant after meeting his bail conditions.
