The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has demanded the
immediate release of Premium
Times Security Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, detained by the
Nigeria Police Force for carrying out his constitutional duty, reports ITREALMS.
The Guild’s Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, on Wednesday also
condemned the arrest by the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad and harassment of
the online newspaper’s Editor-In-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, and Education
Reporter, Azeezat Adedigba, both of who have been released.
The Guild noted with disappointment that the Police action was
carried out on the day Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the restructuring
of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which is notorious for blatant human
rights abuses.
While Mojeed and Adedigba have been released after harrowing
interrogations, Ogundipe was still in detention as at Wednesday morning with no
contact with his family or employers.
GOCOP considers the circumstances of the journalist’s arrest as a
damning indictment of the President Muhammadu Buhari Government, which has been
accused by several groups and individuals of gross abuse of citizens’ rights.
Ogundipe was arrested over a report on a correspondence sent by the
Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to acting President Osinbajo on the
sacked Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.
Daura was dismissed last week by Osinbajo for deploying DSS
operatives to the National Assembly in a show of brute force.
Ogundipe’s commendable refusal to disclose the source of his report
is the reason the Police have held on to him in flagrant disregard for the
Nigerian Constitution, which states that the Press shall at all times be free
to hold the government accountable to the people.
GOCOP condemned the arrest and harassment of journalists in whatever
form.
It advised the Nigerian Government to lecture its security agents on
the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, which confers Journalism
Confidentiality Privileges on the media.
GOCOP demanded the release of Ogundipe and other journalists held by
the Police and other government agencies without further delay.
Nenye Dom/GEE
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