By Dele Ogbodo
The Nigeria Police on Thursday said Premiumtimes Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe is being prosecuted for theft and unlawful possession
of restricted and classified documents and therefore being remanded in custody till Monday next.
Ogundipe who was picked by the Police on Tuesday, August 14 is still being held even after 24 hours. NGOs, Civil Societies are mounting pressure that the reporter be released unconditionally for the court to take its course.
Apparently in reaction to the mounting pressure by CSOs/NGOs Mr. Jimoh Moshood, the Force PRO, in a statement said the attention of the Force was drawn to what he referred to as: innuendos and misinformation in the media about the arrest and ongoing prosecution of one Samuel Ogundipe of Premium Times online publication by Police Investigation Unit.
He said: “The Force is categorically stating that one Samuel Ogundipe is being investigated and prosecuted for the offences of “theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents inimical to State/National Security that can jeopardize peace, breakdown of law and order capable of precipitating crisis in the Country.
“Mr. Samuel Ogundipe is also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences which violate Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act, and the Penal Code Law for which he has volunteered statements and is standing trial.
“It is factual to state that Ogundipe was arrested on the 14th of August, and on completion of preliminary investigation, he was arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction in the FCT in less than 24 hours of his arrest.”
He was remanded to Police custody and the case was adjourned to Monday, 20th August, 2018, the Force PRO said.
Moshood said the Force will also ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of profession, practice or carrier are subject to the same law.
He said he wishes to impress it on the media to encourage prosecution of all offenders upon whom a prima facie case has been established. Every concerned group(s) or interested person(s) should be aware that the matter is in court and the due process of law is being followed, he said.