CDHR Condemns Police Threat To Arrest Journalist, Idumonza Isidahomhen

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Idumonza Isidahomhen

 

Comrade Ekine

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned what it calls “the reckless, unlawful and provocative intimidation, harassment and threat of invasion and arrest” of Mr. Idumonza Isiahomhen, a journalist and publisher of an online publication, OpenLife, by policemen from the Criminal Investigation Department of Ekiti State Police Command.

 

 

According to a statement made available to journalists, the police team led by one Ade, attempted a forceful invasion into Mr. Idumonza’s office located at Ilapo Estate, Alagbado, Lagos State on Friday 3rd of September, 2021, following a story that originated from an anonymous parent of a student of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, titled ‘Afe Babalola University in Rumbles as Parents Complain of Fraud’, published in Open Life on Thursday, August 19, 2021.

 

 

CDHR berated the development as “a clear manifestation of the violation of the journalist’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to privacy and freedom of expression”.

 

 

It was gathered that, on Friday, 3rd September, 2021, the invading policemen claimed to be in possession of a petition but refused to inform Isidahomhen who the petitioner was or avail him with a copy of the petition despite a request by him to see the document.

 

 

“Apparently,” the statement reads, “the policemen were determined to get the journalist arrested this weekend. Thus, without provocation and without justification, they are already in search of him for arrest.”

 

 

The National Publicity Secretary of CDHR, Comrade Henry Ekine, described the attempted invasion and threat to arrest Idumonza as “not only reckless but insensitive and callous,” while he expressed the commitment of the group to the protection and defence of human rights of all persons.

Idumonza Isidahomhen

 

CDHR therefore called on the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to swiftly intervene in the matter and ensure that the journalist is not unjustly intimidated, harassed or arrested.