Source: Corpersgist.com


The Nigeria Police yesterday shed more light on why it was investigating the Premium Times Security Sector reporter, Samuel Ogundipe.

It said Ogundipe was being investigated and prosecuted for theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents.

The police said the reporter’s actions were detrimental to state/national security.

The Force said what Ogundipe did could jeopardise peace and lead to a breakdown of law and order, capable of causing crisis.

It said he was being prosecuted under other offences, which violated Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act and the Penal Code Law.

Spokesman Jimoh Moshood said in a statement that Ogundipe had volunteered statements and was standing trial.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force’s attention was drawn to the innuendos and misinformation in the media about the arrest and ongoing prosecution of Samuel Ogundipe of Premium Times online publication by Police Investigation Unit.





“The Force is stating that Ogundipe is being investigated and prosecuted for “theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents” inimical to state/national security that can jeopardise peace and lead to a breakdown of law and order, capable of precipitating crisis.

“Mr. Ogundipe is also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences, which violate Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act and the Penal Code Law, for which he has volunteered statements and is standing trial.

“It is factual to state that Ogundipe was arrested on August 14 and on completion of preliminary investigation, he was arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in less than 24 hours of his arrest.

“He was remanded in police custody and the case was adjourned till August 20.”

The Force said as a law-abiding organisation, it would ensure that the Rule of Law and its supremacy, which were essentials of democracy, prevailed at all times.

It added: “Individuals or groups, who violate the law, must be brought to justice. The Force will ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of profession, practice or career, are subject to the same law. Therefore, it wishes to impress it on the media to encourage prosecution of offenders upon whom a prima facie case has been established.

“Concerned groups or interested persons should be aware that the matter is in court and due process of law is being followed.

“The Force and the media are partners in ensuring peace, law and order, but will not compromise or allow an offender to go free or pervert the course of justice.”

The Police assured law-abiding citizens, journalists and the public of freedom of expression and other rights, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

It said it would hold in high esteem, the views of media unions, practitioners, associations and other stakeholders.

“The Force is constrained by the law to allow justice take its course and rule of law to prevail.”



It urged the public to disregard every sentiment being peddled to cast aspersions on the investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

Protesters storm police headquarters

Protesters yesterday marched on the Louis Edet House Force Headquarters, Abuja to demand the release of Premium Times Security Sector reporter Samuel Ogundipe.

He was nabbed by the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad on Tuesday.

The arrest followed Ogundipe’s refusal to disclose the source of a story published in the online newspaper.

The story contained a report by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on the siege to the National Assembly by the State Security Service.

The protesters, a coalition of civil society groups, #OurMumuDondo, occupied the entrance of the building for about two hours to make their demands.

They were led by popular musician Charlie Boy, convener of Concerned Nigerians Deji Adeyanju and publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore.

The demonstrators chanted songs, such as “All we are saying is free Samuel now”, “Freedom comes by struggle”, “Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our rights”.

They carried placards with the inscriptions: “Buhari must drop all charges against Samuel Ogundipe”, “Samuel Ogundipe is a journalist and not a criminal”, “Don’t take our voice away”.

The protesters blocked the road to the police headquarters and prevented movement, despite being dispersed with tear gas by the police.

Adeyanju said: “This is a deliberate attempt to intimidate Ogundipe and other journalists. It is bad for the image of the country and the police. We will not negotiate the freedom of the press with anybody, no matter who the person is. The police must release Ogundipe unconditionally with an apology.

“It is important to note that if this can happen to Ogundipe, it can happen to anybody. A situation where people use public office to intimidate and harass journalists, because the goal is to intimidate Samuel and dampen his spirit, is condemnable. We will not allow our country to be dragged down like this.

“As stakeholders in the Nigeria project, we are doing our best to ensure that no Nigerian lives in fear in a democracy.”

Sowore condemned the IG for pressurising Ogundipe to disclose his source.

He said: “The police must learn to respect human rights. We are going to protest till our space is respected. The police are supposed to be working for the people and not against them. The role of the press is defined, even in the constitution. We will not compromise on that.”

One of the demonstrators, Ralph Adebayo, described the IG as “ignorant,” noting that “he has been transmitting confusion and controversy since he became the police chief.”

The spokesman asked the protesters to summarise their demands and forward them to his office.

The demonstrators left the Force headquarters around noon and promised to resume their protest today.


Source: Corpersgist.com

Ok

Wow, see our police and rule of law. He was arrained without a lawyer? Even when you people want to do a good thing, you end up spoiling it. The Daura who committed the main offence, has he been arrained? Freedom of the Press is non negotiable. Everyone is tired of all this.

Anybody that speaks about any evil thing that buhar is doing should be investegated

This government.
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