Police arrest journalists for critical WhatsApp message against Kwara CPS

Kwara State Police arrested two journalists on the instructions of Rafiu Ajakaiye, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The journalists, Abdulrasheed Akogun and Dare Akogun, who are siblings, have been accused of defaming the CPS through a WhatsApp platform.

The journalists who are both staff of Sobi FM in Ilorin, the state capital, were arrested on Thursday after honoring an invitation from the police.

In the invitation letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the duo were charged with incitement to disorder, abusive lying and criminal defamation.

The letter signed by Steve Yabanet, Assistant Police Commissioner for Criminal Investigations, says police have asked his organization to release them for questioning.

"This office is investigating cases of inciting trouble, abusive lying, and criminal defamation alleged against one of your Dare Akogun associates.

"You are requested to release him for a hearing with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Nigeria Police Force, Ilorin, Kwara State, through the Command's OC Legal, the Thursday 10/13/2022 by 11:00 a.m.

“This is only an invitation to establish facts and your cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated,” the letter read in part.

But recounting his ordeal to PREMIUM TIMES, their father, Kunle Akogun, who is a staff member at the University of Ilorin, said his sons never returned home after the invitation.

"Both boys were asked by the police this afternoon to write statements. While we talk, my boys will be sleeping in a police cell, having been detained after writing their statements.

He said the police refused to release his sons despite numerous interventions.

My grievance

Reporting his part, Mr. Ajakaiye, in an October 6 statement, said journalists had falsely accused him of using state resources to the tune of 15 million naira to fund an election of Union of Nigerian Journalists (NUJ) in Kwara State.

He said the allegations amounted to an abusive lie and criminal defamation of his character, as the claims were false.

READ ALSO: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: Attacks on Nigerian Journalists Rise in 2022

He said the allegations were another way to incite the public against Mr. AbdulRazaq and other members of his government.

“These claims on the popular WhatsApp platform are, on all fronts, malicious and simply concocted lies. These claims have given rise to abusive innuendo and sarcastic remarks against my person. of the law to save my name as a human being, a family man, a citizen and a public officer,” the CPS said.

New twist

In a new development on Friday, the journalists' father informed this newspaper by telephone that the duo had been remanded in custody.

He said the warrant was issued by an unknown person while the magistrate was apparently absent.

"They said they should go fire them now.

“They took them to court, but there was no magistrate and they just brought an arrest warrant,” Mr Akogun said.

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