Armed operatives of the Nigerian Police on July 22, 2022 raided the head office of Peoples Gazette newspaper in the Utako area of Abuja during which they arrested and briefly detained five of its staff: John Adenekan, an assistant managing editor; Ameedat Adeyemi, Grace Oke, Sammy Ogbu and Justina Tayani
John was taken away to Utako police division at about 12:35 p.m. by five armed police officers who broke into the newspaper’s office. The officers later returned to the office to arrest the four other staff members, Ameedat, Grace, Sammy and Justina.
The officers, who declined to state the reason for their assault, demanded to see the paper’s Managing Editor, Samuel Ogundipe, and reporter Adefemola Akintade.
The newspaper on June 23 reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raided and recovered items including 50 luxury watches from a purported residence of Buratai.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that said, “A petition was written against the duo of Samuel Ogundipe and Adefemola Akintade for criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news known to be false, and cyber stalking, contrary to section 391, 392, 393, 395 and 418 of the Penal code and section 24(1) cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act, 2015.
She said “In investigating this case, a duly signed warrant of arrest was obtained and presented to effect the arrest of the duo. Their statements have been taken and they have been granted bail, while investigation continues.”
Those arrested were released unconditionally around 6 pm local time.
