The minister in a statement he issued on Friday said that Atani is not a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government decided to take action to secure his release because of the government’s commitment to due process and fairness.
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said that social media influencer Pastor Okezie J. Atani arrested for alleged defamation by the Abia State Police command will soon be released.
The minister in a statement he issued on Friday said that Atani is not a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government decided to take action to secure his release because of the government’s commitment to due process and fairness.
Some Nigerian netizens on X including human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, have berated the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Abia State Command for arresting and detaining Okezie.
The minister in the statement said, “As soon as my office heard about Pastor Okezie's arrest, we swung into action not because Pastor Okezie is a member of the ruling party, but because of our commitment to due process and fairness.
“According to the reports I received, Pastor Okezie was taken in the presence of his elderly parents, wife, and children, who were understandably traumatized by the incident.
“Contrary to common standards, the station to which he was taken was not disclosed, leaving his loved ones distraught and emotionally disturbed. Fortunately, this is no longer the case.
“His family now knows his whereabouts, and his well-being has been ascertained. He will be on his way home soon, while we continue to work to guarantee that no youth has to experience any form of maltreatment under our watch.
“I reiterate my assurance to our youths that we will continue to engage in a transparent, timely, and effective manner; and I urge obedience to laws as we try to safeguard and protect the interests of Nigeria's young people irrespective of party or political affiliations.
“I express my gratitude to my cabinet colleagues, Hon. Minister of Police Affairs; my sister, HMS Police Affairs, the IGP of Police, and the Police Force PRO for their support in this matter.”