Even as the dust generated by the recent closure of Channels Television for three days by the State Security Service, SSS, is yet to abate, officials of the security agency, on 17 October, launched another assault on the press with the arrest of United States of America-based online reporter, Jonathan Elendu. The publisher of Elendu Reports–www.elendureports.com–it was gathered, was arrested on his arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The SSS has denied the arrest of the online journalist, claiming that he is only being held for questioning. According to the spokesman for the organisation, Kenechuks Onyegogu, Elendu has only been “invited” by the SSS to explain certain matters involving “national security”, a claim that flies in the face of the fact that the journalist’s lawyer and family members have been denied access to him by the security agency.
It was gathered that a lawyer who had also attempted to see the journalist last Monday was also denied access to him. Sources revealed that Elendu is being quizzed about the sources of some sensitive information about the presidency on his website. Elendureports.com was created by the detained journalist in association with another US-based Nigerian, Omoyele Sowore, in 2005. The website became an instant hit with Nigerians with its regular publication of exclusive stories of corruption among Nigerian public officials.
The fortune of the website has however nosedived in recent times as it is being outshone in publication of exclusive photographs and stories by Saharareporters.com, an online publication created by Sowore, Elendu’s former partner.
There were indications last week that Elendu may have been arrested over recent stories and photographs published by Saharareporters.com. They include a photograph of the teenage son of President Umar Yar’Adua posing with an AK47 assault rifle, and another showing him playing with bundles of N1,000 notes taken right inside the Presidential Villa.
The publication of the photographs was said to have jolted the security agencies, which see them not only as an attempt to embarrass the first family but also an indication of laxity in the security cordon around the President and his family. Officials of SSS who are supposed to have deployed iron-cast security around the President and his family have been seething with rage, seeking for a scapegoat for the security infraction. Elendu seems to have provided them one, though his website is not the publisher of the photographs.
“His website has become a source of serious news and information and he often writes about corruption, the situation in the Niger Delta and other subjects that are sensitive in Nigeria. We call for his immediate release pending the results of the investigation,” Reporters Without Borders said, last Wednesday.
– Report By Oluokun Ayorinde.
Yemi Abayomi
27 October 2008 17:02It’s a shame this is happening in a country that claims to live by the rule of law. So nobody can express himself again in a democratic environment. I’m ashamed of our rulers and pray that they suffer for the ills committed against this country.
adewale david
27 October 2008 19:29why not take the war to them, you (PRESS MEN) all are members of their senatorial district, and consistuencies make them sign the FOI bill
Comrade Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo
31 October 2008 10:07The Editor,
We join Nigerians and the general public in solidarising with the arrest and detention of the publisher of Elendu Reporters.
It is our hope that the men of the State Security Sevice will come to terms with the dispaasionately expressed views of Nigerians of goodwill and release the detained online reporters or at worst, he be charged to court without further delay. This further explains the urgency for the passage of the freedom of information bill so that all stakeholders knows their limits and responsiblity to the Nigerian people.
We in the Benin National Congress have been monitoring this issue with great interest and we will continue to do so until justice is seen to have been done.
Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo,
President.