Kogi Gov’s War Against Free Press: Journalists Condemn Arrest and Detention of Prince Friday Ogungbemi

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The Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Publishers of Community based newspapers in Kogi State have described as unlawful the arrest and detention of Prince Friday Ogungbemi, publisher of Policy and Lawmakers Magazine adding that it is the height of impunity.

The Publishers described the arrest as an attempt to muzzle the press in the state, described it as unnecessary and uncalled for, said the government or any of its appointee who feels injured would have reacted through a rejoinder or seek redress in a court of law as is the practice in civilized democracy.

In a statement issued and signed by Abu Michael, Chairman and Gideon Ayodele, Chairman and Secretary of the chapel respectively, the chapel frowned at the alleged government action, describing it as the first of its kind in the state under the democratic dispensation since 1999.

The Chapel called on the government and the security agencies to see freedom of expression and constructive criticism as factors that aid good governance and democracy, described the alleged masterminded arrest as uncalled for.

While calling on government to work within the confines of the rule of law in a democratic settings, the publishers union lamented the alleged arrest of its member.

The Chapel said the continued detention of the publisher for over 48 hours over a civil issue has called to question the level of impunity the present change agenda seeks to correct but still practice, said the arrest was using a sledgehammer to kill an ant.

The Chapel called on the state government, the concerned authorities and the individual alleged to have been injured to immediately release unconditionally the publisher adding that his continued detention does and will not speak well of the state government under a democratic system that ought to partner with the media in the state in driving the change agenda.


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