SAMUEL OGUNDIPE, PREMIUM TIMES JOURNALIST RELEASED ON BAIL

KUBWA, Abuja, Nigeria – A Journalist with Premium Times, Samuel Ogundipe who was detained since Tuesday by the Nigerian Police Force has been released. He was released on bail by Magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Abuja. Ogundipe was secretly arraigned on Wednesday without any legal representation, during which the Judge, Mohammed granted a request by the police that the journalist be detained for five days until August 20.

During the trial today, the magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed granted Samuel Ogundipe bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety in like sum who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

Earlier in a statement Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood said Ogundipe was being prosecuted for alleged theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents which he said are inimical to the country’s security. He said the documents could jeopardize peace, and are capable of precipitating crisis across the country.

“The Force is categorically stating that One Samuel Ogundipe is being investigated and prosecuted for the offences of “theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents” inimical to State/National Security that can jeopardize peace, breakdown of law and order capable of precipitating crisis in the Country.

“Mr. Samuel Ogundipe is also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences which violate Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act, and the Penal Code Law for which he has volunteered statements and is standing trial.

‘It is factual to state that Mr. Samuel Ogundipe was arrested on the 14th of August, 2018 and on completion of Preliminary Investigation, he was arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction in the FCT in less than Twenty Four (24) Hours of his arrest. He was remanded to Police custody and the case was adjourned to Monday, 20th August, 2018.

“However, individual(s) or group(s) who violates the law must be brought to justice, the Force will also ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of profession, practice or carrier are subject to the same Law, and therefore wishes to impress it on the Media to encourage prosecution of all offenders upon whom a prima facie case has been established. Every concerned group(s) or interested person(s) should be aware that the matter is in court and the due process of law is being followed.

“The Force is hereby assuring all law abiding Nigerians, respected media practitioners and other members of the public of a guaranteed freedom of expression and other rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, and will continue to hold in high esteem with utmost respect, the views of prominent and notable media unions, practitioners associations and other stakeholders. However, the Force is constrained by the Law to allow justice to take its course and rule of law to prevail in this case”, he said.