By Adeleye Kunle
The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN), the flagship organization for digital news publishers, demands the immediate release of Mr Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, the publisher of 247ureports.com, who was apprehended by Nigerian police in the FCT-Abuja on the morning of July 5, 2021, over an article published on the website.
The association stated in a statement signed by Austyn Ogannah, President, and Daniel Elombah, General-Secretary, that he has remained incarcerated and has not been charged in court since his arrest by men from the IGP monitoring team. This is illegal and violates his fundamental rights.
Despite the fact that he had never been formally invited by the police, he was arrested and taken to the national police headquarters in Asokoro, where he was interrogated in the absence of his lawyer.
Chief Primus Odili, a former chief of staff to former Anambra governor Willie Obiano, who recently lost his senatorial bid on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), petitioned the IGP monitoring team to arrest and detain Mr. Ezenekwe, claiming the article was libelous.
According to OPAN, Chief Odili has directed the IGP monitoring team to identify the source of the article, which Ezeneke has refused to identify, citing journalistic confidentiality and privilege.
We find it disturbing and unacceptable that the police could let a citizen use it to intimidate a journalist.
The police have continued to intimidate and coerce Ezenekwe, demanding to know where he got his information. This is incorrect. Is the police force above the law?
OPAN demands that the police immediately release Mr. Ezenekwe and apologize to him for his unlawful detention.
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