Police secretly arraign detained premium times journalist samuel ogundipe

It appears that there is a developing story about a journalist named Samuel Ogundipe who was detained by the police and secretly arraigned.

For those who may not be aware, Samuel Ogundipe is a Nigerian journalist who works for Premium Times, a reputable online news organization. He was reportedly detained by the police on August 14, 2019, after he refused to reveal his source for a story he published about the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

According to reports, Ogundipe was taken to an Abuja court on August 20, 2019, where he was secretly arraigned and charged with criminal conspiracy, breach of duty, and official corruption. The charges were reportedly filed by the police without the knowledge or consent of Ogundipe's lawyers.

This development has sparked widespread outrage and concern among journalists, civil society organizations, and human rights groups, who are calling for Ogundipe's immediate release and the withdrawal of the charges against him.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also condemned the secret arraignment of Ogundipe, describing it as a "clear violation of his fundamental human rights and the principles of natural justice."

The NUJ has called on the police to release Ogundipe unconditionally and to respect the rights of journalists to protect their sources and carry out their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, who often operate in a hostile environment and are frequently subjected to harassment, intimidation, and even violence.

It is essential that the Nigerian government takes immediate action to address these concerns and ensure that journalists are able to carry out their duties freely and without fear of reprisal.

In the meantime, I will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.