Police detain Journalist, brother over chats indicting Kwara Governor’s Press Secretary
The police invited Akogun and his brother after receiving a petition from Ajakaye over alleged cases of inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood and criminal defamation.
The Nigeria Police Force, Kwara State command, has detained a journalist with Sobi FM Radio Station, Dare Akogun, and his brother, Abdulrasheed Akogun, over some WhatsApp engagements indicting the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.
It was gathered that Akogun and his brother made some comments inside a WhatsApp Platform, “Kwara Commission”, claiming the CPS to the governor facilitated the sum of N15million to some candidates in the recent NUJ elections to influence the outcome.
This claim was described as untrue and a way of spreading fake news, according to the Governor’s Press Secretary.
Hence, the police invited Akogun and his brother after receiving a petition from Ajakaye over alleged cases of inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood and criminal defamation.
This was seen in letter sent to Sobi FM which reads: “This office is investigating cases of inciting Disturbance, injurious Falsehood and Criminal Defamation alleged against one of your staff DARE AKOGUN.
“You are kindly requested to release him to have an Audience with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Ilorin, Kwara State through the OC Legal of the Command on Thursday 13/10/2022 by 11: 00 hours.
“It is just a fact finding invitation and your co – operation in this regard will be highly appreciated. Accept the assurances of our best regards, please.”
However, after Akogun and his brother honoured the invitation, the police failed to release them and they were detained without a justifiable cause.
“Join the campaign to free Dare Akogun and AbdulRasheed Akogun from police custody. Stop the intimidation, Journalist freedom of speech. Stop using State apparatus to intimidate journalists in Kwara.
“Freedom of the press is guaranteed under the 1999 constitution. #FreeRasheedxAkogun #FreedomofSpeech #FreeTheAkogun,” Sobi FM posted on their Facebook Page on Thursday evening.
