SSS, DAPO ABIODUN MUST RELEASE BLOGGER LABASH IMMEDIATELY!
The Ogun State Command of the State Security Service (SSS) has arrested and detained blogger and publisher of eaglesforesight.com.ng, Prince Olamilekan Hammed (Lahbash) for reasons yet to be disclosed.
Mr Hammed was invited for questioning by the service on Friday, an invitation which he honored having nothing to fear as a law-abiding citizen and public-interest journalist. The supposed invitation bordered on reports published by the blogger exposing the supposed activities of Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State in the United States.
The public must observe the continuous desecration of the sacred principles of fair trial and right to legal representation by state agents incited by Mr Abiodun in an attempt to remedy his disgraceful past.
Mr Hammed, since arrested, has continued to face unjust harassment, torture and intimidation for merely doing his job as a citizen journalist after being forced to pull down the story from his website.
Given that journalism is not a crime in this country, the earlier invitations, recent arrest and subsequent detention of Prince Olamilekan Hammed by the SSS is completely illegal and a naked abuse of power. Sections 34, 35 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution are clear on this.
If the embattled Governor is confident that the publication in question is defamatory, which in essence was amplifying publicly available records, he should tour the path of honour and approach a civil court for redress. Only the guilty are afraid.
This naked abuse of power stands condemned. The willingness of lawless SSS to be used as tools of intimidation and state repression also stands condemned. For how long will this daylight fascism continue?
The SSS must release Prince Olamilekan Hammed immediately and unconditionally. We will stop at nothing to enforce his media and human rights if our modest demands are not met immediately.
Festus Ogun, Esq
Counsel to Prince Olamilekan Hammed
May 15, 2022
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