The Dele Atunbi 2024 NUJ Presidential Aspirant Consultation Team has condemned in very strong terms, the arrest and continued detention of Comrade Seun Odunlami, a journalist based in Ogun State.
It states that the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) stipulates the period for which a citizen can be detained, adding that the law of libel and slander are well defined an unambiguous.
Checks by the Team indicated Comrade Seun Odunlami was arrested alongside Precious Eze (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, News Platform), Olawale Rotimi (Managing Director, National Monitor) and Rowland Olonishuwa (Editor, News Hob Mag!) sometimes in September by the security operatives.
The Team frowns at the continued detention of the journalists being held in detention in Lagos for more than the stipulated period of time by the law.
It also gathered that the journalists were arrested over alleged cyberstalking and false publications against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Mr Segun Agbaje.
Accordingly, the Team described the long detention of the journalists as an attack on the 'Press Freedom’ and deliberate attempt to gag the free flow of needed and required information from the members of the fourth estate of the realm to the public.
While urging members of the NUJ to remain calm, committed, firm and focused, the Team demands the immediate and unconditional release of the detained journalists, stressing that journalism practice is not a crime thus, members of the NUJ shall not be cowed from carrying out their constitutional responsibility.
The Team assured that the safety and wellbeing of members of the NUJ across the country shall remain its priority, and shall continue to ensure that our members are not molested, harassed and or intimidated while carrying out their constitutionally guaranteed responsibility.
The team remains committed to press freedom and protection of journalists across Nigeria and beyond.
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