The attention of the Nigerian Press Council has been drawn to the reported arrest of four personnel of the Leadership newspaper stable. The four are Mrs. Chinyere Fred-Adebulugbe, Mr. Chuks Ohuegbe, Mr. Tony Amokeodo and Mr. Chibuzor Ukaibe. Council wishes to reiterate that journalists should not be encumbered in carrying out their civic and constitutional duties.
Nevertheless, media professionals as citizens, where they are suspected to have committed a crime, should be investigated and promptly charged to court as required by law. Furthermore, where they commit infraction in the context of the Code of Ethics of the profession, such ought to be reported to the Nigerian Press Council accordingly.
We advised the Police to exercise utmost restraint, as negative reports about the media professionals being detained do not augur well for our polity and democratic development.
Bayo Atoyebi
Executive Secretary
April 9, 2013