(MRA/IFEX) – On 4 July 2004, Kola Oyelere, the Kano State correspondent for the privately-owned “Nigerian Tribune” newspaper, was arrested by police in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria. He was detained, reportedly tortured and subsequently charged with publishing false information by a Kano Chief Magistrate Court on 5 July. Oyelere was charged with publishing false information […]
(MRA/IFEX) – On 4 July 2004, Kola Oyelere, the Kano State correspondent for the privately-owned “Nigerian Tribune” newspaper, was arrested by police in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria. He was detained, reportedly tortured and subsequently charged with publishing false information by a Kano Chief Magistrate Court on 5 July.
Oyelere was charged with publishing false information in contravention of Sections 74, 114, 139, 140, 392 and 397 of the Penal Code following the publication of a lead story in the 4 July “Sunday Tribune” titled, “Panic in Kano ? as Fresh Crisis Looms”, which he co-authored with the newspaper’s Abuja correspondent, Bankole Makinde. He had earlier been declared wanted by police on 4 July, before his arrest.
At the court, the presiding magistrate, Ibrahim Umar Fagga, adjourned further proceedings in the case to 29 July, after listening to the police prosecutor and Oyelere.
Oyelere was able to speak briefly with reporters at the court premises, before he was taken away by police after the proceedings. He said he was beaten and prevented from taking his medication for typhoid fever.
Oyelere said, “They refused to allow me to eat any food or (drink) water since Sunday afternoon when I was detained at the state CID cell. I was subjected to all sorts of torture during interrogation. In fact they did not allow me even to take my typhoid drugs.”
Police Officer Rufai Inusa told the journalists that Oyelere was arrested on orders of the state police commissioner and that he would not be released until investigations are concluded. He did not say what they were investigating.
Oyelere remains in police custody.
