Court discharges AIT Reporter detained by AIG Mbu for describing him as ‎controversial

A senior magistrates’ court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on Friday, discharged a reporter for the African Independent Television, AIT, Amaechi Anakwue, in a case of alleged character defamation brought against him by the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr. Anakwe was detained Thursday morning after he reported at the Zone 7 police headquarters in Abuja, on the invitation of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of the Zone, Joseph Mbu
His discharge by the magistrate, Anthony Ogboi, was sequel to an application by the prosecution to withdraw the case from court.

Mr. Anakwue, 40, was alleged to have referred to Mr. Mbu, as “controversial” in a programme broadcast on AIT.
In discharging the journalist, Judge Ogboi said that the case had been struck out and ordered the accused not be arrested for the same offence again.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Chijioke Okeizie, had applied for withdrawal of the matter without mentioning the First Information Report, FIR, in open court.

He told the court that the reason for the withdrawal of the case was “best known to the nominal complainant.”
At that, counsel to Mr. Anakwue, Nwoke Kalu, prayed the court to grant the accused protection against further arrest on the same offence.

The magistrate granted the withdrawal application and plea of the accused and discharged him accordingly.
(NAN)