The National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) has condemned the unlawful detention of the publisher of Royal Times Magazine, Ranti Thomas by men of the Nigeria Police, Lagos Command.
Thomas, now released, was kept in Police underground detention for four days without the knowledge of members of his family and professional colleagues.
The Association in a statement jointly signed by the Chairmen of its Lagos and Ikeja branches, Peter Fowoyo and Wahab Akinlade, said the detention of Thomas by security operatives was illegal and unconstitutional, thereby violating his right to freedom of expression and movement as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The group maintained that journalists have a constitutional obligation to report issues of interest to the public and should not be barred or harassed in the course of such reportorial duties.
The Association urged men of the Nigeria Police as well as government officials to uphold democratic principles and refrain from abusive use of power.
The Association called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to investigate the maltreatment and illegal detention of Thomas for four days without valid reasons.
The statement added that families and friends of the senior journalist were thrown into confusion on June 3, 2022, when he was cruelly abducted at gunpoint by men of Nigerian Police, who kept him incommunicado for 72 hours.
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