On 19 July 1996, Edison Yongai, editor of “The Point” newspaper, was arrested by five plainclothes Criminal Investigations Department (CID) agents at the editorial office of “The Point”. The CID agents searched Yongai’s office for unidentified documents before transporting him to CID headquarters in the Slater Terraces area of central Freetown. No documents were confiscated. […]
On 19 July 1996, Edison Yongai, editor of “The Point” newspaper,
was arrested by five plainclothes Criminal Investigations
Department (CID) agents at the editorial office of “The Point”.
The CID agents searched Yongai’s office for unidentified
documents before transporting him to CID headquarters in the
Slater Terraces area of central Freetown. No documents were
confiscated. At CID headquarters, Yongai was interrogated in the
presence of his attorney, Mr. Joseph O.D. Cole, by four CID
agents, including the second-in-command and the Officer in Charge
of Investigations (OCI). Yongai was asked to make a statement,
which he did. After completing the statement, Yongai was detained
without being informed of whether he was being formally placed
under arrest. In addition, he was not informed of the charges, if
any, brought against him. Yongai continues to be held at CID
headquarters.
The arrest was in connection with a front-page story published in
the 18 July issue of “The Point” entitled “Corrupt Ministers.”
The article was accompanied by photos of various ministers of the
new government.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Edison Yongai
and legitimate offence, he be released immediately and
unconditionally
Appeals To
His Excellency Ahmed Tejan Kabbah
President
State House
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Fax: +232 24 21 26
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
