By Dare Akogun
The Association of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) has demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of two of its members, Aiyelabegan Babatunde Abdulrazaq and Oluwatoyin Lukman Bolakale, Publishers of Just Events Online Satcom Media respectively, who have been held in police detention since Monday, September 11, 2023.
The association in a statement signed by it’s chairman Salihu Shola Taofeek and issued in Saturday September 16, 2023 stating that their detention is seauel to a petition filed against them by the immediate past Principal Private Secretary to the Kwara State Governor Ms. Monsurah Jumoke Gafar.
The association said the police inquiry primarily focused on the source of a press release used in their respective medium and signed by one Chief Rotimi Adebowale, which the police requested for them to provide his mobile phone number.
The two detained journalist were not able to provide his number but instead, they furnished the police with the contact details of the source of the press release who was later identified as a Senior Government official.
The association said they see the continued detention of its colleagues without the arrest of the culprits as a conspiracy and nothing but victimisation of its colleagues whose only offence is nothing but being dedicated to their job.
The association thereafter implore all well meaning Kwarans and lovers of press freedom to stand-up and join them in demanding the release of the two journalist
See the press release below……
SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
1) 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.
2) The police inquiry primarily focused on the source of a press release signed by Chief Rotimi Adebowale, which they correctly attributed to its origin.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) 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.
5) Unfortunately, the Police has thus far, refused to arrest the government source, yet they continued to hold our innocent colleagues in detention.
6) 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.
7) Thus, we see the continued detention of our colleagues without the arrest of the culprits as a conspiracy taken to far and nothing but victimisation of our colleagues whose only offence is nothing but being dedicated to their job.
8) Thus, we implore all well meanings Kwarans and lovers of press freedom to stand-up and join us in demanding the release of our colleagues.
