Mr Paul Gyengyer, a Benue social media activist who was recently detained and held in custody for defaming Benue State Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has been released from the Makurdi Federal Correctional Centre.
After being seized in July, the young social media activist had been detained for about two months.
A Makurdi Magistrate Court remanded him in prison after charging him with spreading false news that was harmful to the governor.
Gyengyer was arrested for the first time in July, following a Facebook post stating that Governor Alia diverted fuel subsidy palliatives meant for the state for personal use.
In response to his arrest and incarceration, Gyengyer filed a lawsuit against the police, claiming N200 million in damages for wrongful detention and maltreatment, and requesting his immediate release.
Mr Bemgba Iortyom, Publicity Secretary of the opposition Benue State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, confirmed his release from prison on Friday.
Gyengyer’s detention and alleged abuse drew significant criticism in the state.
