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The Director General, Media and Publicity to the Kogi State Governor, Kingsley Fanwo has distanced the Governor from the arrest of Austin Okai, saying the Governor doesn’t even know the arrested suspect.
The Governor’s spokesman stated this while reacting to enquiries as to whether the arrest was ordered by the Governor, saying the Governor is devoting his time to rebuilding the state from rubbles of “decades-long maladministration and failure by his predecessors”.
“It is unfair and incorrect to insinuate Governor Yahaya Bello was was the mastermind of the arrest of Austin Okai. The Governor doesn’t know him or his so called activities that have been brought to the limelight after his arrest. The report is also unfair to the professionalism of the Police as the security agency is empowered to deal with issues of security and criminality without been prompted by anyone.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is serious with the business of rebuilding the state, resetting pir attitude, reforming the civil service, improving infrastructures and creating wealth for the people. These are more important to the Governor than ordering the arrest of people.
“Security agencies know what constitute insecurity to the state and should be left to do their job. The Governor will never impede the course of injustice as he is determined to ensure security in Kogi State. I urge those peddling the falsehood to desist from furthering their spurious project”.
The Director General said he got to know about the arrest just like any other person, insisting that the state has no plan to gag any anybody from airing his or her views.
When asked whether the blogger was arrested because of his incessant criticism against the government, Fanwo said government is not against criticism, but the present situation will guide people to say or write only what they can defend.
He said: “Criticism has rules and the right of the citizens to freedom of speech must not be abused to infringe on the rights of others. Okai is an adult who is capable of defending his actions”.
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