The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, has reacted to the attack on one of its member and reporter of Daily post in the state, Mr Sikiru Obarayese.
AMILOADED recalls that Sikiru Obarayese, was arrested on Wednesday by the Police while covering the EndSARS Memorial protest in Osogbo.
The demonstrators chanted freedom songs as they walked from the Ita-Olokan area through Oja-Oba, Station road, Post Office, Oke-Fia and Old-Garage before they were interrupted.
Some of them including Obarayese were picked up and beaten repeatedly by overzealous police officers.
While speaking, Obarayese recalled that he was grabbed around 1:10pm despite identifying himself as a journalist.
“Six policemen arrested me at Freedom Park on the instruction of Chief Superintendent of Police, Oyegbade Akinloye, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dugbe Division.
“I was hit with a gun butt before they forcefully took me to the station. One L. Yakubu hit me with several fist blows. I was told to write a statement but I refused.
“One Inspector Charles wrote the statement on my behalf and ordered me to sign but I declined. I insisted they should give me my phone. The charge was immediately prepared.
“Twelve policemen brutalised me during my stay at the station. They threatened to kill me if I chose not to cooperate with them; I tried to stay calm. They took me to the court at 2pm.
“I sustained an open wound on my knee, wrist, lost my earpod and some cash. I feel pains all over my body but I thank God I’m alive”, he said.
After his arrest, Obarayese was arraigned at the Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly making a video of the DPO during the protest.
The reporter, who was taken away while his colleagues scampered for safety, faced a two-count charge of breach of peace and recording/assaulting Akinloye.
The police said the alleged offences run foul of Sections 249(5) and 356 of the Criminal Code Cap 34. Laws of Osun State.
Obarayese pleaded “not guilty” to the charges pressed by the prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Kayode.
Kayode, however, informed the court of the decision to withdraw the case saying: “The Commissioner of Police informed me to discontinue the case.”
The Magistrate, A. O. Daramola asked the prosecutor to point out where it was established in Nigerian laws that recording a police officer or station was illegal.
Daramola, who was visibly dissatisfied with the conduct of the security agency, granted the request to withdraw and struck out the case.
28-year-old Obarayese is now free and receiving treatment for his wounds at a hospital.
Reacting to the incident in statement on Thursday by the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary, Comrade Bukola Elufadejin condemned the arrest and arraignment and described the act as gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
The statement further decried the attitude of the divisional police of officer in charge of Dugbe Division, Osogbo, Mr Oyegade Akinloye for arresting a journalist who was performing his professional duties and the speed of the arraignment.
It called on Nigeria Police to be civil in its approach and stop exercising unnecessary force on citizens performing legitimate duties, advising them to focus only on criminal elements, as the Union could no longer tolerate abuse and harassment of its members.
The statement urged the state commissioner of police to call his men and officers to order and educate them on the place of media in the task of policing the state.
It also warned that if the command fails to caution his men and officers against intimidation and harassment of it’s members in the course of performing their professional responsibilities, the Union may not have any other option than to stop reportage of all activities of the state command .
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