Segun Atanda/
Times appear to be testing the much-acclaimed premium of the pen over the sword, as policemen today arrested an old soldier of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi.
The arrest, according to the security agents, followed a complaint by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai over certain publications in Olorunyomi’s online newspaper, Premium Times.
The police also arrested the newspaper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu, when they stormed the Premium Times head office in Abuja.
The arrested journalists were later released on bail at about 8 p.m, three hours after the arrest.
Premium Times editorial team explained the situation in a post on its website, saying: “Plain-clothes officers conducted a search at the office shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
“The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations.”
Registering his protest on Facebook, the Director, International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos, Mr Lanre Arogundade stated: “Dapo Olorunyomi and Evelyn Okaukwu’s arrest should not have taken place in the first instance; so despite their release, the Police stand condemned for their arrest, which is nothing but assault on Press freedom. Against the background of recent correspondences between the Chief of Army Staff and Premium Times, the Police are merely acting a script. Whoever has any complaints against the journalists should seek redress in court. Harassment of the duo and their organization should STOP NOW!”
Condemning the raid, the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, said, “They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES.
“They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.”
He added that the paper would continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility and patriotism, even at great risk to our personal liberties”.
On January 11, 2017, the newspaper had published a letter dated December 22, written on behalf of Mr Buratai, by I.M Alkali, a Major General, accusing PREMIUM TIMES of “unwarranted serial provocative, unauthorised, libellous and defamatory publications”.
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