(IJC/IFEX) – The Chairman of Lagos State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Arogundade, detained since 25 April 1999 over an alleged complicity in the murder of Bolade Fasasi, has been granted bail. **Updates IFEX alerts of 13 May, 12 May, 11 May, 5 May, 3 May, 30 April, 28 April, 20 April […]
(IJC/IFEX) – The Chairman of Lagos State council of Nigeria Union of
Journalists
(NUJ), Lanre Arogundade, detained since 25 April 1999 over an alleged
complicity in the murder of Bolade Fasasi, has been granted bail.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 13 May, 12 May, 11 May, 5 May, 3 May, 30 April, 28
April, 20 April and 13 April 1999**
The bail was granted at the Ibadan High Court, Ibadan on 14 May, when the
court resumed sitting on the issue of bail application brought before it on
behalf of Arogundade on 10 May.
In a 26-paragraph affidavit, Sola Arogundade, Lanre’s wife, had argued that
Arogundade’s arrest and detention was based on information provided by some
members of the Lagos NUJ. She claimed that following police investigation,
the allegation raised by the writers of the petition could not be
substantiated. She also said that her husband was asthmatic and suffered
from a chronic adrenal ulcer which requires constant medication and
supervision not available at the state Criminal Investigation Department
(CID) cell where he is currently being remanded.
Reacting to the application, prosecuting state Attorney, Mr. Familoye, said
he had no objection to the bail but urged the court to ensure that justice
prevailed in the conduct of the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Mojeed Owoade, ordered that Arogundade be
released on bail but that he should be reporting at the Iyaganku police
station, Ibadan every fortnight.
However, as at the time of filling this report, 3:00 p.m., Nigerian time,
Arogundade had yet to be released. Sources close to the Iyaganku police CID
section in Ibadan said they are still expecting the court paper before the
release can be effected.
