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The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of Alidor Jonah, a student of the Bayero University Kano, (BUK) who was taken from Kano State to Ebonyi State following a petition reportedly filed by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Offia Nwali.

Jonah, a vocal critic of the Francis Nwifuru-led Ebonyi State government, was reportedly arrested two days ago over his criticism of the commissioner.

SaharaReporters learnt that his whereabouts initially remained unknown, raising concerns among colleagues and associates who feared he had been abducted.

However, following inquiries into his disappearance, the Commissioner of Police confirmed that Jonah was arrested in Kano State, transferred to Ebonyi State, charged and subsequently incarcerated.

The circumstances surrounding his arrest and transfer have raised concerns about the treatment of government critics, especially given previous allegations of police harassment of critics of the Ebonyi State government.

In October 2026, an investigation by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) documented allegations by Chika Nwoba, a government critic who accused the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Offia-Nwali, and other officials of involvement in the alleged diversion of funds meant for an empowerment programme.

Nwoba had alleged that the Ebonyi State Government approved N3billion for an empowerment programme and released an initial N1billion to a seven-member committee for distribution to beneficiaries.

Nwoba subsequently petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the funds were diverted instead of being distributed to the intended beneficiaries.

According to the investigation, Nwoba alleged that his petition triggered a series of arrests and surveillance activities against him.

He recounted how his sister was allegedly arrested and used to lure him into police custody after officers reportedly asked her to contact him.

Nwoba said he was subsequently arrested by officers who had travelled from Ebonyi State and taken to the state police command in Abakaliki.

He further alleged that the commissioner confronted and threatened him over the petition, accusing him of damaging his reputation and that of others.

However, Offia-Nwali denied the allegations, insisting that he was neither the chairman nor secretary of the committee responsible for managing the empowerment programme.

He also maintained that the N1bn released for the programme was not paid into his ministry’s account or any account over which he was a signatory.

The latest development involving Jonah has therefore renewed attention on the relationship between the Ebonyi State authorities, critics and law enforcement agencies.

Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to hold opinions and receive and impart information without interference.

The constitutional provision is one of the safeguards protecting citizens’ ability to question government policies, scrutinise public officials and participate in public discourse.