Premium Times Publisher, Correspondent Released After Buratai Ordered Their Arrests

The Publisher of Premium Times, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi and the paper’s correspondent,Evelyn Okakwu, who were arrested on Thursday were later released in the night same day.

PRNigeria confirmed the release in a WhatsApp broadcast thus: “ The PRNigeria has confirmed the release of Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi and a judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu who were arrested by plain-clothed security officers today.
“The reasons for the arrest and the release are still sketchy.” But Premium Times which reported the raid on its headquarters by Policemen, said the Police acted baised on complaint by Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff.

It could be recalled that the Army had said it had filed a suit against the online newspaper over some of its recent publications about Buratai.

The Nigeria police had raided PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja, and arrested the newspaper’s publisher. The publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, was arrested alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu.

Plain-clothed officers conducted search at the office shortly after 5p.m. Thursday, and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations.

The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemned the raid.

“They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES,” said Mr. Mojeed. “They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.”

He said the paper will continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility and patriotism, even at great risk to our personal liberties”.