|
MRA Condemns Security Raid, Closure And
Arrest Of Staff Of The News Magazine
Lagos, Monday, February 9, 1999:
Media Rights Agenda (MRA), views as outrageous Saturday
night seizure of copies of The News magazine, the arrest of its
staff and the eventual subsequent closure of the printing press- Satellite
Press in Ogba-where the printing of the magazine was in progress.
We consider as very disturbing the arrest of The News
Managing Editor, Babafemi Ojudu, chairman of The News chapel of
the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Tajudeen Sulaiman, General
Manager of Independent Network Communications Limited (ICNL), publisher of
The News, Idowu Obasa, and the Press Manager of 24 Hours Press, Wole
Odofin.
We find it rather strange that a government that has made a
public affirmation of its belief to respect press freedom and other human
rights, could so soon begin to manifest contrary tendencies. We view the
arrest as a throwback to the dark days of the General Sanni Abacha’s
regime when the media in Nigeria experienced the worst repression in its
history.
We do not believe that this is just a show of over zealous
disposition of security officials and not an officially sanctioned
attack. Media Rights Agenda request that government steps into the matter
and immediately bring to book the perpetrators of this unfortunate act.
MRA also demand for an unconditional release of the four
journalists as well as press manager, the immediate opening of the
printing press and a restitution for the seized copies of the magazines.
This is only too necessary if the impression is not to be
created that the much cherished hand of fellowship offered by the
government of General Abubakar is not a deceptive ploy to win the people’s
acceptance whilst nursing a different agenda.
For further details contact:
TIVE DENEDO
Director of Campaigns
Media Rights Agenda
44, Alhaja Kofoworola Crescent
Ikela, Lagos.
|
