The national President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has hailed the release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore and Col Sambo Dasuki, rtd., from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.
The NUJ boss applauded the government for doing the needful albeit belatedly, urging it to release other political detainees and journalists who have been clamped into detention based on trumped up charges especially by some state governments.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, ordered their release on Tuesday.
Malami advised them to observe the terms of their bail and not engage in any act inimical to public peace and national security and their ongoing trial which will run its course under the laws of the land.
But reacting isiguzo in a statement on Wednesday stated that, “This is a welcome development and a good Christmas Present for not just the duo but for democracy. Two key ingredients of democratic governance are Respect for Rule of Law and Free Speech (Press Freedom) and once they are not respected, democracy will be under threat.”
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The Abia-born Journalist explained, “A case in point is the incarceration of Agba Jalingo, who is in detention on the orders of Cross River State Government. The Federal Government should quickly intervene by ordering his immediate release.
“Democracy is about the people and any action that undermines people’s right to free expression remains unacceptable. Despite the challenges, Nigerians must continue to keep hope alive”.
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