(MRA/IFEX) – The presenter of the “Focus Nigeria” programme on the privately-owned “Africa Independent Television” (AIT), Gbenga Mike Aruleba, who was arrested on 14 June 2006 by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, has been released. Aruleba was released conditionally late on 15 June after he reportedly embarked on a hunger […]
(MRA/IFEX) – The presenter of the “Focus Nigeria” programme on the privately-owned “Africa Independent Television” (AIT), Gbenga Mike Aruleba, who was arrested on 14 June 2006 by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, has been released.
Aruleba was released conditionally late on 15 June after he reportedly embarked on a hunger strike to protest his detention, but was asked to report back to the SSS office on 19 June, when the agency will decide whether to charge him with sedition.
He said after his release from custody that he was detained in an underground cell, where he met two other persons, one of whom had been held there for two years and the other for four months.
Aruleba said he was questioned by the SSS about a statement he made on the “Focus Nigeria” programme that a new presidential jet bought by the Nigerian Government a few weeks ago was used aircraft. He said the security agents told him that if the matter was not resolved amicably with the AIT management by 19 June, he would be formally charged with sedition.
About 12 security agents raided the premises of AIT, the country’s largest private television network, at approximately 8:00 a.m. on 14 June and arrested Aruleba for undisclosed reasons.
The Director-General of the SSS, Colonel Kayode Are, told journalists on 15 June, prior to Aruleba’s release, that the presenter was arrested for an “infraction”, which he said was being investigated. But he would not say what the infraction was.
Asked what specific offence Aruleba committed, Are said: “The investigation will come. If he is going to go to court, we will do so but if not, we will just leave it. What I want to tell you is that there was a basis for the action. And the basis is covered by law. We will follow all the processes of the law and we will allow him all the privileges he is entitled to.”
