Police confirm Chude’s arrest, investigate suspect for cyberstalking

In a statement signed by the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force spokesman revealed Chude who was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on March 18, 2023, was being investigated for cyberstalking.

In a statement posted on the official Twitter handle of the Nigeria Police Force, Chude was accused of involvement in activities on social media that contravenes the provision of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and other criminal laws.

The police urged the public to get acquainted with the provisions of the law alongside penalties for their violation particularly those of cybercrime crimes.

The statement reads: “CHUDE NNAMDI IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR CYBERSTALKING – POLICE The Nigeria Police hereby confirms that one Mr. Chude Franklin Nnamdi with Twitter handle ‘@chude__’ was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on the 18th of March, 2023, and he is being investigated by the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja, for cyberstalking, pursuant to a complaint received via a petition, about his activities on social media which contravenes the provision of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and other criminal laws.

“Furthermore, a prima facie case has been established against him while the case file has been forwarded to the Force Legal Department for further action.

“The Nigeria Police Force therefore urges members of the public to familiarize themselves with provisions of the law and be aware of the penalties for violating them most especially cybercrime laws with the new trends in the digital media space.”

Chude, an ardent supporter of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi went to Onitsha to cast his vote in the March 18 Governorship and State Assembly polls.

However, he was reported to have been picked up by the secret police and flown to Abuja where he currently being held in detention.

Consequently, the Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo was fingered to being behind Chude’s arrest, an allegation the governor publicly denied any involvement in.

In a tweet via his verified Twitter handle, Soludo said he was unaware of the reason of Chude’s arrest, adding that the state government had no information about the specific allegations or basis of his arrest.

The tweet made on March 19, 2023, read: “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command has confirmed to me, that one Mr Nnamdi Chude was arrested yesterday (18/03/23) in Anambra by the Cyber Crime Unit of Interpol and taken to Abuja today (19/03/23).

“The Anambra State Government has no information about the specific allegations or basis of his arrest. CC Soludo CFR.”