x

Amnesty demands release of journalist who criticised Lai Mohammed

Rights group, Amnesty International, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately release broadcast journalist, Rotimi Jolayemi, who has spent three weeks in custody for criticising the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Jolayemi, who anchors a Yoruba radio programme, ‘Bi aye se ri’ on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was on May 5, 2020, arrested by the police for reciting a poem which was critical of the minister.

Our Correspondent reports that Jolayemi’s wife, Dorcas, and his two brothers were arrested and spent over a week in police custody when they could not produce him. They were, however, released when the journalist turned himself in.

Jolayemi, who is the Vice-Chairman, Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, was subsequently brought to Abuja where he has remained since May 7.

Reacting to the arrests, AI said in a tweet on Tuesday that the arrest of the journalist and his wife was unlawful.

“Jolayemi, a journalist was unlawfully arrested on May 6, 2020, over a poem considered critical of the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed. His wife too was unlawfully detained for eight days in squalid condition. We are calling on authorities to immediately release him,” the tweet read in part.

Hot this week

A’Ibom Commissioner seeks royal support for voter registration, Gov Eno’s Arise Project

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo Traditional leaders in Akwa Ibom have been...

NYCN Urges Support for Nasarawa Indigenes in Federal Appointments

By Abel Zwanke, Lafia The National Youth Council of Nigeria...

Kidnappers Kill Traditional Ruler in Kanam LGA of Plateau

By Israel Adamu, Jos Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have...

Delta Govt Backs Civil Service Screening, Insists on Decent Dressing

By Anne Azuka The Delta State Government has thrown its...

CROSSJOF Hails Hon. Nyiam As Champion of Fight Against Illicit Drug Abuse in Boki LGA

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju Cross River State journalists in Abuja under...

Functional Streetlights in Abuja Save $8 Billion Yearly on Repairs, Block Saboteurs — Wike

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister Barr. Nysome Wike has...

Public Alert: Increased Water Release from Goronyo Dam

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development...

Global Spotlight: Daybreak Publisher Clinches Silk Road News Award

The publisher and editor-in-chief of daybreak Nigeria newspaper, Dr....

A’ibom committed to industrial Cluster Development

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo Akwa Ibom State government has restated...

Pilgrimage Is Spiritual Exercise, Not Jamboree, NCPC Boss Warns Intending Pilgrims

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju As intending pilgrims depart Abuja on Monday...

Wike Lauds President Tinubu for lifting Rivers emergency rule

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),...

Nigerian journalist wins Silk Road Global News Award

By Micheal Onjewu with Agency Report The publisher and editor-in-chief...

A’Ibom Commissioner seeks royal support for voter registration, Gov Eno’s Arise Project

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo Traditional leaders in Akwa Ibom have been...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img