The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Commissioner, Ben Igweh, has assured that the detained reporter with Foundation for Investigative Journalism,FIJ, Daniel Ojukwu would soon be released from detention.
The commissioner disclosed this while addressing protesters at the entrance of the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.Igweh, however, was evasive of the date for the release of the detained journalist.
He said, “Every Nigerian citizen has his fundamental human rights, including journalists. But the fact that somebody is a journalist does not exempt him from being questioned for offence committed. If you are a journalist and you commit strong offence, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you like every other citizen.
The Country Director of Accountability Lab, Friday Odeh, who spoke on behalf of the protesting groups, decried the arrest and continued detention of the journalists. “A free press and public participation are fundamental pillars of our democracy. Thus, the continuous silencing of journalists and civic actors who hold power accountable undermines the provisions of Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 , which guarantees freedom of the press and freedom of expression, respectively.
“Mr. Ojukwu’s fundamental human rights have been blatantly violated. Even though the Nigeria Police has filed no formal charges, he remains in custody.
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