IPC Warns Bauchi State Police Command Against Being used by Politicians to Detain and harrass journalists.

From David Ovie Bauchi

The International Press Centre (IPC), has warned the Bauchi State Police command against being used by politicians to harass journalists in the state.

IPC gave the warning in a press release, made available to our correspondent, signed by Toyin Ayoade, its Communications Officer, following the arrest, detention and harassment of the publisher of Wikki Times, Mr Haruna Mohammed and his reporter, Kamal Idris in Bauchi, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, expressed worry “about this trend of events,” calling on the Police Command in Bauchi State to avoid being used as tools of harassment against the journalists.

The ordeal of Mohammed and Idris began on Monday, June 27, 2022, when they honoured an invitation from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) following a petition by Mr. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bauchi Federal Constituency  concerning a Wikki Times report of May 18, 2022 on the sudden death of the Chairman of the All Progressive Peoples Congress (APC) in Bauchi Local Government area of the State.

“The journalists arrived the station about 10 am on Monday but after making a statement they were clamped into a cell where they alleged that they were physically assaulted,” the statement disclosed.

“Despite the presence of their Lawyer at the Police Station, they were not set free until about 10 hours later and asked to report back on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 for further interrogation.
 
“The two journalists again reported at the SCIID Bauchi on Tuesday as directed but were promptly taken before a Bauchi Magistrates Court where they were charged for criminal conspiracy, defamation of character and cyber stalking.

“The court ruled that they should be held in custody until tomorrow, Wednesday June 29, 2022.
  

“Since the petitioner alleged defamation, the Police should have in the first instance advised him to seek legal redress instead of illegally detaining the journalists for 10 hours on Monday, June 27, 2022 and subjecting them to physical and mental harassment in the process”

He added that it now behoves on the Police authorities in the State to ensure the safety of Mohammed and Kamal.
 
Mr. Arogundade said journalists should not continue to be treated as endangered species in Nigeria.

He stated that in all circumstances the security agencies must always strive to toe the path of the rule of law in handling complaints or petitions against journalists and other media professionals, just as they should normally do for all citizens.