Elombah.com has been described as a responsible media organization
and not a terrorist, neither is it championing Biafra terrorism, as being
alleged in some quarters, reports ITRealms.
The President, Online Publishers Association of Nigeria
(OPAN), Mr. Austyn Ogannah gave this description while responding to arraignment
of Elombah.com and some of its senior editorial team on Thursday, insisting
Elombah.com is a dependable media organization.
“Elombah.com is a responsible media organization. It is not
a terrorist organization and neither is it championing Biafra terrorism,” he
declared.
ITRealms gathered
that Ogannah concerns arose from claims by the Nigeria Police Force of its
members conspiracy to commit terrorism offences and cybercrime because over an
opinionate article on their website, which the police see as uncomplimentary
and offensive.
Hence, the Nigerian Police today, Thursday arraigned Timothy
Elombah and Daniel Elombah over allegations of terrorism and cybercrime in
allegation to cyber stalking, cyber bullying and for ‘championing Biafra
terrorism’.
Ogannah, therefore, called on the police to withdraw the
“spurious charges” without delay and stop harassing journalists for doing their
constitutionally backed assignments.
ITRealms further gathered
that a four-count charge filed at the Federal High Court 5 in Abuja by the
Police revealed the Elombah brothers are being charged for cyber bullying and
cyber stalking the Inspector General Of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris.
Ogannah said its worrisome by the police’s claim that the accused
who are carrying out their social responsibility, which is enshrined in the
constitution, intend to “create native war and lead to breakdown of law in the
country.”
“The claim is not only ridiculous, but also disgraceful of
the police force under the care of Idris,” he declared.
Ogannah said in the statement: “It is laughable that the
police force under whose watch 110 female teenage students were kidnapped from
their dormitory at the Government Girls Technical Science College, Dapchi, Yobe
State, can shamelessly descend so low to the extent of filing fabricated
charges against the two journalists who are contributing their own quota to
National development.
“The reputable media organization has stated that they have
nothing to do with the publication in question, because it was neither written
by the Editor or Publisher or any staffer and there is nothing in Elombah.com
that promotes terrorism in Nigeria.
“It is to be noted that the online medium has published
series of articles against the activities of Boko Haram in the country and
other acts of terrorism, so linking it with the activities of IPOB is a joke
taken too far,” he said.
Nonye Dom/GEE
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