Nigeria In One Minute
Outrage as PREMIUM TIMES journalists return to police station after arrests
Two PREMIUM TIMES staff arrested but later released Thursday by the Nigerian police returned to the Abuja headquarters of the force early Friday, amid widespread outrage that followed the raid.
Plain-clothed officers stormed the paper’s office Thursday and arrested the publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, and judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu, after conducting search at the office.
They were later released on bail after several hours, and instructed to report at the FCT Police Command Headquarters by 8:00 a.m. Friday morning.
A highly-placed police source said the invitation could be a ploy to detain the journalists longer.
The police source said there were chances the two could be taken before a Magistrate’s Court.
“From what I understand, if they report tomorrow morning, they will be taken to a Magistrate’s Court and arraigned before a judge that will readily comply with the police arrangement and grant order for them to be detained,” the source said. “That way, they can then claim to be detaining them legally.”
The raid has sparked international condemnation, with the Amnesty International promising to launch an investigation into the motive behind it.
Premium Times, January 20, 2017
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