Samuel Ogundipe: What Saraki’s spokesman said about Premium Times’ reporter’s arrest
Bukola Saraki, has stated that the continued detention of Samuel
Ogundipe, a Premium Times' journalist, is an affront on the fourth
estate of the realm and an assault on freedom of the press, freedom of
speech and due process.
In a statement released on Thursday, Olaniyonu, a former Editor and
Editorial Board Chairman with THISDAY newspapers, reiterated that
freedom of speech and due process must be adhered to in Ogundipe's
case, stating that journalists must be free to practice their
profession without fear of intimidation by security forces.
"As a journalist and media professional, I find it preposterous that
Mr. Ogundipe has been held without recourse to due process for more
than 48hours
"This is a democracy and even when it hurts, journalists must be free
to write their truthful stories and protect their sources without the
fear of being picked up and tried secretly.
"It is a settled issue in our jurisprudence that a journalist cannot
be compelled to disclose the source of his or her information.
"In cases like Tony Momoh versus Senate, Ray Ekpu Vs IGP and many
others, our courts have decided that the journalist cannot be
compelled to reveal the source of his story.
"I want the world to know that, I and my colleagues in this profession
will continue to stand alongside Samuel Ogundipe. We will continue to
speak up for him and demand his immediate and unconditional release.
"We will also continue to demand that due process must be followed and
freedom of speech and that of the press must be protected," the
journalist-turned-media aide said.
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