Two Journalists Arrested in Akwa Ibom

Two Journalists Arrested in Akwa Ibom

Two journalists in Akwa Ibom State were on Thursday arrested and detained by the police in the state for undisclosed reasons.

They are Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of a local tabloid in the state, The Ink Newspaper, Mr. Nsibiet John, and the Editor of the paper, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan.

By the time of filing in this report, there was no official explanation from the police authorities in the state in connection with the arrest, but sources said the arrest could be on the directive of the state government over alleged criminal defamation by the newspaper.

Meanwhile, the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the arrest and detention of the two journalists by the state Police Command, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.

A statement issued yesterday by the leadership of the NUJ in the state and signed by the state Secretary, Amos Etuk, warned that the journalists should not be detained beyond 24 hours without official trial as provided by the law.

“Needless to remind the police to be guided by the fact that suspects cannot be detained beyond 24 hours and if they have sufficient evidence, a formal trial should take its course immediately and bail granted accordingly.

“We have accordingly commenced investigations into the reasons of their arrest and wish to appeal to the state police command to give us the needed cooperation in this regard and also to have unmitigated access to them by the leadership of NUJ, their families and lawyers.

“In the light of this, we urge the police to respect the fundamental rights of the journalists and follow due diligence on the issues necessitating their arrest and detention,” the statement noted.

Also reacting, The League of Newspaper Publishers in the state has also condemned the arrest of its Secretary and Publisher of The Ink newspaper, John, by the police.

A statement by the League and signed by its Chairman, Mr. Ernest Akpan, noted that “the arrest purported to be on the orders of the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, is shocking, unacceptable and unfortunate, as there are other channels of communication and conflict resolution which have not been explored in addressing whatever perceived breach, if there is, from the Nsibiet John.

“The press remains the Fourth Estate of the realm and will continue to function as not just partner of the state government and its agencies for good governance, but as watchdogs of the society.

“A situation where journalists are treated as enemies or prisoners of war, and game to be preyed on, during the discharge of their duties, is unacceptable to the League.

“The League of Newspapers Publishers, Akwa Ibom State chapter, hereby calls on the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, to urgently wade into the matter and ensure the immediate release of John.

“We wish to state unequivocally here that failure to secure his release will attract very unpleasant consequences.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Cordelia Nwawe, has denied knowledge of the arrest.