Twitter influencer, Chude Nnamdi, is being investigated for cyberstalking by the Police following his arrest

Twitter influencer, Chude Nnamdi, is being investigated for cyberstalking by the Police following his arrest.

On Saturday, Chude was said to have been arrested by police in Anambra state and allegedly taken to Abuja, the country’s capital.

Some social media users claimed that he was arrested over an alleged petition written by the Anambra governor.

Others alleged that the arrest was due to a tweet he posted on electoral violence in the state during the house of assembly elections on Saturday.

But in a statement on Wednesday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force public relations officer, said the social media influencer was arrested following a petition about his activities on social media which contravened some established laws. 

“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,” the statement reads.

TheCable observed that the NPF did not state who wrote the petition against Chude in the statement. “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.”

He explained that the social media activities of the LP supporter contravene 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.

Meanwhile, the LP presidential candidate Peter Obi, has called for the Nnamdi’s release.

Obi in a tweet on Tuesday said he was informed that Nnamdi was apprehended because “he tweeted against the people in government”.

“Yesterday my attention was drawn to the arrest of a social media influencer, Mr. Nnamdi Chude. In my usual inquiry, I wanted to know the offense of the young man only to be told that it was because he tweeted against the people in government,” he said. 

I am therefore appealing to all concerned to please treat the issue compassionately to release the young man in question.

“It’s also necessary for me to admonish that people should know that when you occupy public office, there are several consequences of occupying that office. People will have their thoughts on you. You have the right to reply but not for you to use your office arbitrarily or in unrestrained use of authority.”