IPI, NUJ, NGE Mull Legal Action against DIA for Olatunji’s Abduction

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The International Press Institute, Nigeria (IPI), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) are considering legal action and other unspecified actions against the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) headed by Major Gen.  Emmanuel Undiandeye for the abduction and detention for 14 days of the Editor, FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji.

The President, International Press Institute, Nigeria (IPI), Musikilu Mojeed, echoed the threat Thursday at a joint press conference called by the bodies at the FCT Council of NUJ, Utako, Abuja on the fate of Olatunji who was released Thursday by DIA.

“We must call the military to order so that they don’t undermine democratic order. Now that Olatunji has been released, we will not rule out legal action in addition to other actions.

“The DIA’s action is a direct attack on press freedom. One of the core missions of the free press is to serve as a watchdog on power. The press, as we all know, is the connection between the people and the government. If the press is not allowed to carry out its social and constitutional responsibilities but instead obligated to power, it simply serves as an extension of power. Without freedom of the press, our democracy is endangered. In the case of corruption, a free press is critical to exposing abuses of power. For sure, the media is not above the law, but in a democracy, the only way to determine wrong or right is through the legal process.

“This is not the end of this matter. The Nigerian media community shall consult further in the next few days on the actions to take against the CDS, the CDI, and the military regarding this matter,” Mojeed said.

Addressing the media, Olatunji outright waved aside the military allegation of terrorism against him.

He said he was kept incommunicado while his right leg and right hand were cuffed while in military detention.

He said that despite now regaining freedom, he had fear for the safety of his life and that of his family.