The Nigeria Police Force has said that it arrested Premium Times’ reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, over alleged theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents.
The police arrested Ogundipe on Tuesday over a news report he wrote about the letter sent to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on the sacked Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura.
The police said the reporter, by his action, contravened the Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act, and the Penal Code Law and would be prosecuted upon completion of investigation.
According to the police in a statement by its spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, the documents could jeopardise peace, breakdown of law and order capable of causing crisis in the country.
The statement by the police reads: “The force is categorically stating that one Samuel Ogundipe is being investigated and prosecuted for the offences of theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents inimical to state/national security that can jeopardise peace, breakdown of law and order capable of precipitating crisis in the country.
“Samuel Ogundipe is also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences which violate official secret act, cyber crime act, and the penal code law for which he has volunteered statements and is standing trial.
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“It is factual to state that Samuel Ogundipe was arrested on the 14th of August, 2018 and on completion of preliminary investigation, he was arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction in the FCT in less than twenty four (24) hours of his arrest. He was remanded to police custody and the case was adjourned to Monday, 20th August, 2018.
“The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organisation will continue to ensure that the rule of law and its supremacy which are essentials of democracy prevails at all times.
“However, individual(s) or group(s) who violates the law must be brought to justice, the force will also ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of profession, practice or carrier are subject to the same law, and therefore wishes to impress it on the media to encourage prosecution of all offenders upon whom a prima facie case has been established. Every concerned group(s) or interested person(s) should be aware that the matter is in court and the due process of law is being followed.”
