Former social media director of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Deji Adeyanju is set to lead another protest.
This development is coming barely five days after his arrest at the Unity Fountain during a protest organized against the Nigerian government over its insistence on the secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu, founder of the Radio Biafra.
He was subsequently released.
Adeyanju in an invitation extended to DAILY POST, Sunday night, said
he would be leading another protest against the recent detention of the
coordinator of the PDP Youth Frontiers, Austin Okai and the continuous
harassment of many other activists.
“We invite members of the public and the press to our peaceful
procession to protest against the increasing arrest and detention of
journalists and online bloggers over reports made as part of their
jobs,” the invitation letter reads in part.
Adeyanju said the procession will commence at the National Human
Rights Commission, No 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja by
09:00am.
Explaining the reason behind the protest, the PDP chieftain said the
procession became necessary following the incessant arrest and detention
of journalists, bloggers as well as ordinary Nigerians over the
exercise of their rights to freedom of speech.
He said, “In recent times, these have included Austin Okai, Kemi
Olunloyo, Audu Maikori, Midat Joseph, Eusebius Yayock and Jamil Mabai
amongst others.
“As at the time of writing this statement, Austin Okai is still
detained by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Unit of the Nigerian
Police Force. He rearrested & detained despite being granted bail by
a court of competent jurisdiction.
“At the same time, Kemi Olunloyo is still detained at the
Port-Harcourt Prison due to her inability to meet the draconian bail
conditions of stipulated by the court before she was charged. This is in
spite of several decisions by our courts, including the apex court,
restraining courts from setting draconian bail conditions.
“It is our firm belief that the use of laws drafted and enacted by
military juntas from dark periods of Nigeria’s history to curb free
speech ought not to have a place in our democracy.
“It is imperative to state that we do not support irresponsible
journalism or promote the defamation of innocent people or the
propagation of false information.
“However, the redress for such actions cannot be in the arrest and
detention of journalists or commentators. The recourse has to be the
application of our civil laws relating to defamation for libel and
slander which provides for the payment of damages as well the publishing
of retractions and apologies,” he added.