LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has expressed concern over the detention of its Executive Director, Dayo Aiyetan, and reporter, Nurudeen Akewushola, by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC) for over 7 hours.
Aiyetan and Akewushola, accompanied by their lawyers, honored an invitation from the NPF-NCC on May 28, 2024, but have been held in custody since noon.
The ICIR believes this may be a ploy to detain them, despite the police claiming it was a “fact-finding invitation.”
The invitation letters, dated April 16 and May 20, 2024, requested Aiyetan and Akewushola to appear for questioning over allegations of cyberstalking and defamation of character.
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Part of the letter reads, “The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre is investigating a case of cyberstalking and defamation of character in which the above-named person featured prominently.
“In view of the above, you are requested to interview the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) at Plot 625 Mission Road, Diplomatic Zone, Central Business District, Abuja through CSP Omaka Udodinma Chukwu on Wednesday 24th April 2024. Call 08067854241 on your arrival.
“Your cooperation in this regard will be highly appreciated, please.”
However, the letters lacked details of the petition, prompting the ICIR to request more information.
“We are worried that this could be a ploy by the Police to detain them, despite the fact that the NPF- NCC stated in its letter that ‘it is a fact-finding invitation,'” said Bamas Victoria, The ICIR Editor.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has stated that arresting journalists based on cyberstalking and criminal intimidation charges is unlawful, as the relevant section of the Cybercrime Act (Section 24) was amended in February 2024.
The ICIR believes the police invitation may be related to an investigation into a shady land deal involving former police bosses, one of whom has taken the case to court. However, the ICIR has not been formally notified.