#FreeSamuelOgundipe: IPC, CPJ furious over detention by Police - ITREALMS

#FreeSamuelOgundipe@ITREALMS:

The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos has said it is furious by the detention of Premium Times Security Sector Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, as well as the harassment of the newspaper’s Editor-In-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, and Education Reporter, Azeezat Adedigba, on Tuesday, saying it’s a clear assault on press freedom and threat to journalism practice, reports ITREALMS.

Just as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has joined other prominent individuals and groups in condemning the arrest and detention of Samuel Ogundipe by the Nigerian Police, and urged for his immediate release, stressing that Ogundipe is not a criminal.

Meanwhile Mojeed and Adedigba were released after being arrested, detained and harassed, Ogundipe was still being held as at press time.

IPC in a press statement available to ITREALMS, expressed dismay that the Police authorities want Ogundipe to disclose the source of information over a story published by the newspaper on a correspondence between the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on the dismissed Director General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura.

Daura was dismissed and ordered arrested last week by Osinbajo for authorising the deployment of DSS operatives to the National Assembly.

IPC Director, Lanre Arogundade, described the arrest, harassment and detention of journalists as a “clear assault on press freedom and a clear threat to the safety of the detained journalist and his colleagues.”

“The Police authorities are also hereby reminded that the Freedom of Information Act,  a federal law, enacted in 2011, in Section 16 subsection C confers on the media 'Journalism Confidentiality Privileges' and as such should desist from engaging in unconstitutional acts.

“We condemn the arrests and detention of the concerned journalists and hereby demand the immediate release of Mr. Ogundipe.”

In addition, CPJ Africa Programme Coordinator, Angela Quintal, reacted from Johannesburg, South Africa, saying, “CPJ is gravely concerned  by reports that Premium Times journalist Samuel Ogundipe was detained by Nigerian Police yesterday for his reporting. 

“Samuel Ogundipe must be released immediately without any condition and be allowed to report without fear of reprisal.

“Journalists are ethically bound not to disclose their confidential sources and the fact that police reportedly arrested him because he refused to name his source is outrageous.

“Samuel Ogundipe, is a journalist who is protecting his sources, and not a criminal. He must be freed now.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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