An Abuja High Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the police force to release Tim Elombah, the detained Editor of online news website, Elombah.com, from detention within 24 hours.

Tim has been held since New Year Day illegally by the police on the orders of Idris because of an uncomplimentary opinion article that the website amongst several others published.

Ruling in a suit seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights, Justice Ajoke set a condition of one reasonable surety with N500, 000 in like sum for the journalist’s freedom.

Tim is seeking N1 billion naira in damages against the Inspector General of Police and the force.

It remains unclear whether the Buhari administration will comply with this ruling as it has a reputation of disregarding rulings of the courts.