Outrage as DSS arrests, detains campus journalist over anti-Buhari articles
NEWS DIGEST – Nigerians have criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) for arresting and charging to court Mr. Ayoola Babalola, a campus Journalist, for allegedly publishing articles critical of the President Muhammadu Buhari, and All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in GAPOSA trumpet, a campus newspaper in which he served as the Editor.
It was gathered that Babalola is currently been remanded at Ibara Maximum Prison, in Abeokuta.
A Mass Communication graduate of Gateway Polytechnic, Ogun State, Babalola was first invited by the DSS on December 29, 2019.
He was interrogated on the matters that surfaced over his publications.
Earlier, the young journalist through a Facebook post he made on his timeline announced his invitation by the security outfit.
News Digest gathered that the said articles which criticized President Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressive Congress (APC) Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also led to the dismissal of a lecturer of Gateway Polytechnic who served as producer of the campus newspaper.
While different persons have been reacting to his arrest, a statement released by Inibehe Effiong ESQ, his lawyer, condemned the manner of arrest by the state security service officials.
Mr Effiong said he was arrested on Thursday in Abeokuta by the Department of State Services (DSS) and taken before a Magistrate Court on Friday.
According to the statement, he was arraigned on a six count charge bothering on alleged incitement, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and so on for allegedly publishing critical articles against President Buhari.
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“The said articles also related to the travails of the leader of the RevolutionNow movement, Mr Omoyele Sowore, and student activist, Comrade Femi Adeyeye.”
The human rights activist condemned the act and described it as despotic and needless actions by the State Security Service.
“It is a shame that at a time the country is battling serious security challenges, the SSS rather than protect Nigeria, is paranoid about any form of criticism against the Buhari regime”
“We will face them squarely in court”,he added.
Mr Effiong said all legal options will be explored to secure the release of Babalola and safeguard his legal and constitutional rights.
He confirmed that he will be in court on Monday for the case.
As at the time of filing this report, all attempts to reach the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, to confirm the arrest and detention via calls and text messages were unsuccessful.
In the same vain, the National Union of Campus Journalists, Nigeria (NUCJ) has strongly condemned the arrest and arraignment of its member.
The union demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of its member with all charges dropped against him.
“@nucjnigeria totally condemn the arrest of Mr. Ayoola Babalola, a campus journalist, who was charged to court for allegedly publishing certain articles in a Campus Newspaper called GAPOSA Trumpet in which he served as the Editor.”
“His arraignment on a six count charge bothering on alleged incitement, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and so on is laughable and intimidating.”
“@nucjnigeria will not sit and watch the state security service instigate fear in our Campus Journalists by arresting them.The shrinking of Civic and media space is totally unacceptable.The Freedom of the press as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution should be adhered to strictly.”
“We hereby demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Ayo Babalola. All charges against him should be dropped to avoid further legal action.”
