The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria, OPAN, digital news publishers’ flagship organization, has demanded for the immediate release of the publisher of 247ureports.com, Mr Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, who was arrested by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in the early hours of Tuesday, July 5, 2022, over an article published on the website.
OPAN made the demand in a statement signed by its President, Austyn Ogannah, and General Secretary, Daniel Elombah, respectively and made available to the media.
Describing his arrest and incarceration by men of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Monitoring Team, without being charged to court as unlawful and na infringement on his fundamental human rights, OPAN said,
“Although the Police never formally invited him, he was immediately arrested and taken to the national police headquarters in Asokoro, where he was interrogated in the absence of his lawyer.”
Tracing the origin of Ezenekwe’s current ordeal, the statement added, “A former Chief of Staff, CoS, to the former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, Chief Primus Odili, who recently failed in his senatorial bid on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, petitioned the IGP Monitoring Team to arrest and detain Mr. Ezenekwe, claiming that the article on him was libelous.
“OPAN gathered authoritatively that Chief Odili has tasked the IGP Monitoring Team to unmask the source of the article, which Ezeneke has declined to identify, citing confidentiality and privilege between journalists and news sources.
“We find it disturbing and unacceptable that the police could allow a citizen to use it to intimidate a journalist.
“The police have continued to intimidate and coerce Ezenekwe, demanding to know the source of his story. This is wrong. Is the police above the laws of the land?”
OPAN therefore called on the police to immediately release Mr. Ezenekwe and apologise to him for his unlawful incarceration.
