SAN FRANCISCO, March 06, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed deep concerns over the continued detention of the Abuja Bureau Chief of Daily Independent Newspaper, Mr. Tony Ezimako, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
THEWILL recalls that Ezimakor was arrested last Wednesday over a story published by The Independent alleging improper handling of the Chibok girls’ negotiations by Swiss and Nigerian negotiators and has spent seven days in the DSS detention.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Raheem Adedoyin, the institute said “Ezimako should be released or charged to court if he has violated any Nigeria law. The government must adhere to the due process at all times.
“We join the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other professional bodies to call on the government to clarify the status of the detained journalist.”
In the same vein, some civil society organisations are set to stage a protest at the headquarters of the DSS in Abuja.
In a statement jointly signed by Charles Oputa, aka Charley Boy, representing OurMumuDonDo; Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians; Ariyo Dare Atoye of Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy amd Bako Abdul Usman, Campaign For Democracy; the groups said it was unconstitutional for the DSS to keep Ezimakor in its detention facility against his will.
“Following the continued detention of Ezimakor by the DSS, and the continued disregard for his rights to freedom of speech, right to dignity of the human person, and right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution, we have decided to occupy the DSS Headquarters in Maitama by 9a.m. onMarch 7, 2018,” the statement read.
“The decision to occupy the DSS office was made in a bid to prevent Ezimakor from suffering the same fate as Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who has been detained illegally at the DSS facility for more than two years.
“We re-emphasise our demand for the unconditional release of Ezimakor by the DSS.
“In the alternative, we demand that the federal government charge him to court as stipulated in the constitution and give him the opportunity to defend himself.
“We urge all members of the local and international media to attend this peaceful protest aimed at drawing attention to the increasing incidents of unlawful harassment of the press and the unlawful detention of Nigerian citizens in violation of their constitutional rights by the present administration.
“We also invite all peace-loving Nigerians who are interested in preserving and protecting our democracy to join us on Wednesday.”
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