By Mumini AbdulKareem
Rotimi Jolayemi, a Kwara based poet detained for broadcasting a poem deemed to be insulting Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday said his 45 days in custody was ordained by God to fulfil a purpose.
Speaking with National Pilot on Tuesday in a telephone chat, Jolayemi who is popular with the epithet Oba Akewi maintained that he never regretted his days in the custody adding that his experience will be properly documented for Nigerians in his forthcoming album.
He said earlier report on the aspect of the Minister initially attributed to him had since been updated and forwarded a link to buttress it.
According to him, “The earlier report of me concerning the minister had since been updated. I didn’t say I did not regret insulting him but that my 45 days in the custody of the police was not regrettable because God has reason why he has sent me to that place.
“People will understand my experience better in my new album that will soon be released. My going there was for a purpose ordained by God and I have no regret about it especially how the police professionally handled the issue”, he added.
In its report on Monday, this newspaper reported the story with the headline “I have no regret insulting Lai Mohammed, set to release new album this week” with additional report from Premium Times.
However, Jolayemi called to inform that Premium Times has since updated its version of the story and sent a link to buttress it with the headline “Journalist accused of insulting minister speaks after release from detention”.
Jolayemi, who anchors a Yoruba radio programme, ‘Bi aye se ri’ on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was arrested by the police on May 5.
Recall that he had told National Pilot in a telephone chat weekend that the new album scheduled for this week was meant to satisfy the curiosity of numerous people who have called to enquire about his ordeal.
According to him, “Since I have left the police headquarters, there had not been any further development. So many people have asked me to tell them my experience. But I have documented everything in a new album titled “The Return of Oba Akewi: My Experience” and it will be released in two or three days from now for people to know everything played out”, he added.
Editor’s Note: This post was updated after Jolayemi’s draw our attention to the uploaded report.
