The journalists were detained for allegedly inciting rifts among loyalists and officials of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq.
Two Kwara-based journalists, Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan, publisher of Just Event Online and Oluwatoyin Lukman of Satcom Media have been released by the police after spending no fewer than 10 days in detention.
The journalists were detained for allegedly inciting rifts among loyalists and officials of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq.
According to Daily Trust, the journalists’ freedom was granted by a revenue court sitting in Ilọrin, the state capital. They were released by Magistrate Abdulganiyu Ajia following his approval of a bail application filed by their lawyer, Taofeeq Olateju.
The two journalists were detained by the Kwara State Police Command at the instance of a former Principal Private Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mrs Jumoke Gafar Monday, September 11, 2023.
Mrs Gafar had petitioned the police over a report by the defendants which she alleged was responsible for her non-reappointment by the governor.
In a press statement released by the Association of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) detailing what led to the arrest and detention of their members, it was alleged that the defendants published a report about “rumoured power play within the ranks of the loyalists of the Kwara State Governor, which is natural anywhere pecks of office are up for grabs.”
The statement reads further: “Both journalists willingly responded to a phone invitation from the Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism Unit of the Kwara State Police Command on Monday, accompanied by three ASKOMP members and legal representation.
“The police inquiry primarily focused on the source of a press release signed by Chief Rotimi Adebowale, which they correctly attributed to its origin.
“They were requested to provide Chief Rotimi Adebowale’s phone number, which they were unable to do. Instead, they furnished the police with the contact details of the press release’s source, who was later identified as a senior government official.
“ASKOMP, seeking an amicable resolution, engaged in Alternative Dispute Resolution discussions with Hon. Razaq Owolabi, who appeared receptive to a peaceful settlement ensuring their release within 48 hours without court proceedings.
“Subsequently, ASKOMP provided Hon. Razaq Owolabi, a key figure in the petition, with essential evidence confirming the government source’s involvement. This evidence was promptly shared with the police.
“Unfortunately, the Police have thus far, refused to arrest the government source, yet they continued to hold our innocent colleagues in detention.
“It must be noted the story in question is about nothing but the rumoured power play within the ranks of the loyalists of the Kwara State Governor, which is natural anywhere pecks of office are up for grabs.
“Thus, we see the continued detention of our colleagues without the arrest of the culprits as a conspiracy taken too far and nothing but victimisation of our colleagues whose only offence is nothing but being dedicated to their job.
“Thus, we implore all well-meaning Kwarans and lovers of press freedom to stand up and join us in demanding the release of our colleagues.”
Saliu Shola Taofeeq, Chairman of the Association of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP), expressed joy at the petitioner's readiness to pursue a peaceful resolution after their release, noting that ASKOMP members had no intention of destroying her character.
He urged ASKOMP members, however, to continue following journalism's ethical norms and to be consistent in their obligations.