Nigerian journalist, family detained for criticising Lai Mohammed

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR says radio personality, Rotimi Jolayemi, is being illegally detained by the Nigeria Police.

Jolayemi is fondly called Oba Akewi.

The journalist had recited a poem that was critical of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

Reports say Jolayemi is currently in the custody of the Federal Investigation Bureau of the Force.

Also arrested were Jolayemi’s family members.

The human rights defence group made the allegation in a statement by its President, Osagie Obayuwana.

CDHR noted that “Jolayemi is said to have been arrested by the police at the instance of the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on account of a poem read over the radio, considered critical of the minister.

The rights group said it was worrisome that Mohammed would also have a hand in the arrest of Jolayemi’s wife Dorcas, ‘and two of his brothers who were kept in detention for eight days, nine days and two days respectively as hostages, while the journalist, Mr Rotimi Jolayemi, was being sought”.

CDHR revealed that Jolayemi surrendered himself to the police headquarters at Ilorin, Kwara State on May 6, 2020.

“He is still being held till date, 12 days later, without being charged to court or granted bail”, Obayuwana condemned.

The body added that detaining the journalist’s relatives for his refusal to show up violated Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which forbids hostage-taking and the arrest of any person in place of another