Ebonyi trek-a-thon hero, Comrade Obaji Jeremiah Nworu, has made an “urgent call for the release of Alefia Friday James” who was arrested by Hon. Chinedu Ogah, Member of the House of Representatives representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, for cyber bullying.
In his statement dated 27/10/2025, Nworu who trekked from Lagos to Ebonyi State capital, Abakaliki, stated that he doesn’t encourage cyber bullying but appealed to Ogah to be merciful and free the prisoner.
“Personally I detest cyber bullying of any kind or form against persons of different class but our law is comprehensive enough to address issues pertaining to cyber bullying of one against another.
“I’m so worried that issues of civil matters which supposed to be addressed in the court are over time criminalized by police and other security agencies which act as a dog for politicians and powerful individuals, instead of resorting to the court which were saddle with the power to apportion appropiate sanctions,” he said.
Nworu further stated that there were allegations of concerned human rights abuses and unlawful detention in the case involving Alefia Friday James, urging for his immediate release.
According to him, the case is similar with the case of Mr. Kindness Jonah, a 66-year-old activist detained over criticisms on social media.
He therefore, requested the honorable to;
1. Alefia Friday James’s detention for over one month is a clear violation of his fundamental human rights.
2. Hon. Ogah should respect citizens’ rights to express opinions without fear of persecution as a custodian of the peoples mandate, while his constituents should bear in mind that freedom of speech does not immune one from civil or criminal prosecution in the court should one feel offended.
He added that: “Ebonyi Youths should address issues of governance malfeasance with alternatives suggestions and not an attack on personal lives of others, which has resulted in most cases intimidation and incarceration in the prison.”
3. “I urge Hon. Ogah to follow due process in seeking redress when he feels that his right has been trampled upon, not using his influence to arrest, torture and detain suspects arbitrarily in civil matters.
Finally, Nworu who is also the founder of Okpoku Udo Foundation, a foundation being established to encourage and promote peace in ebonyi state, stated that “I respectfully request that Hon. Chinedu Ogah should as a matter of urgency release Alefia Friday James from prison, as I was reliably informed that his health has deteriorated within the period he has been in detention.”
