As Nigerians continue to protest against the arrest of Chocolate City co-founder, Audu Maikori, on social media, his business partner of many years, Paul Okeugo, has issued a statement stating they are working to secure his release.
Maikori was arrested yesterday by operatives of DSS following comments he made about Southern Kaduna killings. He was picked up in Lagos and taken to Abuja.
The statement by his partner reads:
Dear Friends,
My name is Paul Okeugo and I have been Audu Maikori’s friend & Partner for years and know him to be a very honorable and passionate man. Audu genuinely cares about Nigeria and everyone in it . He is not one to spread false information or advocate violence . Together we have strived to create a better future for all young people in Nigeria. Audu exemplifies the kind of qualities we sorely need in this society.
Today Audu has been picked up by law enforcement agents over his advocacy about the killings in #SouthernKaduna and he is presently being held in custody.
I would like to reach out to fans and friends of Audu and our company that we all should please exercise patience and remain calm.
We appreciate the massive love and support we have received and continue to count on that goodwill . There is no Chocolate City without all of you!
We are working to secure his release and have reached out to friends who realize the importance of sustaining democratic ideals in a country as fractured as ours.God bless
Paul Okeugo
#FreeAudu
