(MRA/IFEX) – On 8 July 2004, police in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria, released Kola Oyelere, the Kano State correspondent for the privately-owned “Nigerian Tribune” newspaper. Oyelere was arrested by police on 4 July on charges of publishing false information. Oyelere was initially declared wanted on 4 July and arrested later the same day. He was […]
(MRA/IFEX) – On 8 July 2004, police in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria, released Kola Oyelere, the Kano State correspondent for the privately-owned “Nigerian Tribune” newspaper. Oyelere was arrested by police on 4 July on charges of publishing false information.
Oyelere was initially declared wanted on 4 July and arrested later the same day. He was detained, reportedly tortured and subsequently charged on 5 July with publishing false information in contravention of Sections 74, 114, 139, 140, 392 and 397 of the Penal Code of Kano State, following the publication of a story on the front page of the 4 July “Sunday Tribune” titled, “Panic in Kano . . . as Fresh Crisis Looms”. Oyelere co-authored the story with the newspaper’s Abuja correspondent, Bankole Makinde.
Oyelere said he has been ordered by police to appear on 9 July before the Kano Chief Magistrate Court, where he was arraigned on 5 July. The police will then decide whether to drop the charges against him or continue with the case.
