Adejuwon Soyinka, the Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa and an investigative journalist, has been released on bail after being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, August 25th, 2024.
Soyinka was arrested shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom, and his detention sparked widespread concern among colleagues, press freedom advocates, and the public.
The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, initially denied knowledge of Soyinka’s arrest, but the journalist was later released from the DSS Ikoyi office after the intervention of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.
Soyinka’s passport was seized by the DSS, and his release was confirmed by a friend who stated that he was held for over six hours.
The agency also stated that Soyinka was taken into custody based on a request from a foreign agency. It however refused to give further details as to the name of the agency, or country base.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) expressed concerns about Soyinka’s arrest on their X account, stating:
“Tinubu administration must immediately release journalist Adejuwon Soyinka who was reportedly arrested by the DSS at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport today… The administration must end the persecution of journalists simply for doing their job… We’re concerned that Soyinka’s arrest is part of a growing crackdown against journalists, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders in Nigeria.”
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in a statement by its secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee also condemned Soyinka’s arrest, stating that “Following the intervention of IPI Nigeria, the SSS released Mr Soyinka on bail after detaining him for not less than six hours.
“However, the secret police are still holding on to his international passport.
READ ALSO:DSS detains investigative journalist, Soyinka, at Lagos Airport, raising concerns over press freedom
“Although no reason has been given for his arrest and subsequent detention, we view the action of the SSS as part of a plot to intimidate and harass journalists by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“Mr Soyinka’s arrest and detention are not isolated cases.
“-Since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, we have noticed a systematic clampdown on journalists across the country.
“The gestapo manner with which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flew from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in mind.
“During the #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA protests across the nation, journalists were directly shot at reminiscent of the dark days of the military.
“Hiding under the Cybercrime Act, the police have embarked on indiscriminate harassment and arrest of journalists.
“For the flimsiest reason, journalists are being invited or arrested. The plan is to stop journalists from carrying out their legitimate duty.
“We hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Soyinka’s international passport.
“We also demand a commitment from the federal government to uphold the freedom of the press and stop further harassment and intimidation of journalists.
“In the main, we advise journalists to be vigilant and go about their reportorial duty with the highest commitment to professional ethics”.
By Olamide Ayoade
The post DSS releases investigative journalist, Soyinka on bail, gives reason for detaining him appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Naomisophyblog.
