It has been revealed that certain correspondents and employees of the online newspaper Peoples Gazette have been released from police arrest.
Officers of the Nigerian Police Force detained them on Friday at noon in Abuja in connection with a news report that claimed to have connections between some properties seized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission on suspicion of money laundering and former chief of the army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (retired).
Samuel Ogundipe, the publisher of Peoples Gazette, verified that the imprisoned journalists and other staff members were unconditionally freed at around six o’clock.
“I can confirm that our reporters and other staff members that were arrested earlier by the police have been released unconditionally. However, the police had just informed us that they came for me as the Managing Editor, and a reporter Adefemola Akintade, who wrote a report on a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.)” Ogundipe stated.
He said that Buratai should file a lawsuit rather than utilize state forces to harass our workers and journalists if he feels that his reputation has been tarnished.
DSP Josephine Adeh, the public relations officer for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, also confirmed that the detained Peoples Gazette journalists and staff members had been released.
She said that following Sections 391, 392, 393, 395, and 418 of the Penal Code as well as Section 24(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, a petition was filed against Samuel Ogundipe and Adefemola Akintade for criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news that is known to be false, and cyberstalking.
A properly signed warrant of arrest was obtained during the investigation of this case and submitted to the pair to be arrested. While the inquiry is ongoing, their statements have been obtained and they have been given bail.However, Mr. Ogundipe insisted that neither he nor Ms. Akintade had been detained, noting that Akintade was not present at the office when the police raided it and that he was now traveling abroad. Five of his employees, including two correspondents, an editor, and two administrative staff members, were taken to their station by them. However, those who were detained were tonight released.
What's Your Reaction?
