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MRA Calls for the Immediate Release of
Concord Newspapers Judicial Editor
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) condemns the arrest and
detention of Mr. Richard Akinnola, Judicial Editor of the National
Concord newspaper by security agents of the Federal Military
Government.
We view the arrest and detention as arbitrary, illegal and
unconstitutional as Mr. Akinnola was not told of his offence at the time
of his arrest or formally charged with the commission of any crime.
The MRA is dismayed that at a time the Federal Military
Government is trying to persuade us that international concerns about its
human rights practices are the result of a grand international conspiracy
against Nigeria, it has continued to carry out actions which justify such
concerns.
We condemn unequivocally the frequent resort to strong-arm
tactics in dealing with Journalists and Media Institutions which
invariably amounts to a violation of the constitutionally and universally
guaranteed right of all Nigerians to freedom of expression.
The MRA therefore calls for the immediate and unconditional
release of Mr. Akinnola. In the alternative, he should be charged before
a regular court for any offence he may have committed without further
delay.
We also wish to remind the Government that it has an
obligation to condemn unlawful actions aimed at silencing freedom of
expression and to investigate and bring to justice those responsible.
The MRA therefore calls on the Police to thoroughly
investigate the report by Mr. Dele Alake, Editor of the National
Concord that he is being trailed and harassed by unknown persons and
prosecute those involved.
TIVE DENEDO
NATIONAL SECRETARY
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