Guys do you think detaining Kemi Olunloyo without trial is right? The group made a demand in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Adebayo Raphael, while expressing disapproval on the prolonged incarceration of Ms. Olunloyo at the Port Harcourt Maximum Prisons, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A civil advocacy group,
OurMumuDonDO Movement, has demanded justice for social media enthusiast and
daughter of former governor of old Oyo State, Kemi Olunloyo.
Ms. Olunloyo was arrested
in Lagos State for allegedly publishing a story believed to be offensive to a
popular cleric, David Ibiyeomie.
She was taken to Port
Harcourt where she was arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in
Port-Harcourt and remanded in prison before the case was later transferred to
the Federal High Court.
The group said her protracted
incarceration belies the fundamental principles upon which Nigeria’s legal
system and even the correctional facility where she is being held was
established.
Part of the statement read:
“It is extremely disheartening that one of the finest investigative female
journalists in Nigeria has been unlawfully kept in detention since October 12,
2017, allegedly over a controversial issue involving her and a renowned
Nigerian pastor.
“Even more disheartening is
the manner in which the Nigerian people, the Christian community, and indeed
the legal system in Nigeria has seemingly become disinterested in ensuring that
justice is tempered in this case involving Kemi Olunloyo.
“Regardless of whatsoever
personal opinion anyone may hold against Ms. Olunloyo, the fact remains that no
Nigerian deserves to be treated less as a human as she is currently being
treated.
“Ms. Olunloyo, like every
other Nigerian, has the right to freedom of expression and fair hearing. If at
all she is guilty as charged, she deserves to be legally and publicly tried
instead of being kept for a long period of time in an unkempt and stenchful
prison facility.”
The group therefore called
on ‘every Nigerian with a conscience’ to speak for Ms. Olunloyo, stating that
she needs the voices of Nigerians at this time.
“We ask every Nigerian who
believes in the principles of Human Rights and Freedom of Speech to demand
justice for Ms. Olunloyo not only because she is a journalist but because she
is a Nigerian who should be protected by the law, like the rest of us”, it
said.
The group further urged the
Federal Government of Nigeria, the Rivers State government, and every concerned
authority to swiftly intervene in the matter and ensure that Kemi Olunloyo gets
justice.
“We believe that justice
delayed is justice denied, and Ms. Olunloyo, like every other Nigerian,
deserves better than she is currently being served”, it said.
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