Igala Journalists Slam Kogi Govt Over ‘Gestapo’ Arrest of Onimisi, Demand Immediate Release

The Forum of Igala Journalists, FORIJA, has condemned what it called the “unlawful arrest” of Mr. Farouk Ozigi Onimisi from his residence, demanding his immediate and unconditional release from custody.

In a press statement signed Friday by its President, Comrade Omonu Nelson, FORIJA described the arrest as a “gestapo manner only befitting of a hardened criminal,” carried out on the order of officials of the Kogi State Government.

“His offence? Exercising his fundamental human right to express an opinion on the state of affairs in Kogi State,” the statement read.

FORIJA said the action was “a brazen breach of Mr. Onimisi’s constitutionally guaranteed rights.”

“At what point did expressing one’s opinion on the state of affairs become a crime in a democracy?” the group asked.

The forum reminded the Kogi State Government of Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which it said “is unambiguous: ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.’”

FORIJA also referenced Section 22 of the Constitution, noting that it charges the press and mass media to “uphold the fundamental objectives… and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”

“Citizens, including Mr. Onimisi, enjoy the derivative right to point out the ills of their government. Dissent is not disloyalty. Criticism is not a crime,” FORIJA stated.

The group said Onimisi’s arrest “contradicts every known principle of accountability in governance.”

“You cannot preach transparency and open government on one hand, and on the other hand abduct citizens at night for speaking up. This gestapo-style operation is reminiscent of the dark days of military rule and has no place in a constitutional democracy,” the statement said.

Three-Point Demand to Ododo

FORIJA called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo “to immediately order the unconditional release of Farouk Ozigi Onimisi,” adding that “the Governor swore an oath to protect the Constitution. That oath includes protecting the rights of citizens who disagree with his government.”

The forum issued a three-point demand to the Kogi State Government:

1. Publicly apologize to Mr. Onimisi and his family for the trauma and reputational damage caused by this illegal arrest;
2. Investigate and sanction the officials who ordered and executed this violation of rights; and
3. Guarantee that no other citizen of Kogi State will be harassed, intimidated, or detained for expressing opinions on governance.

“FORIJA will not stand by while the civic space is shrinking in Kogi State. Journalism is not a crime. Free speech is not a crime. Demand for accountability is not a crime,” Comrade Omonu Nelson stated.

“Free Farouk Ozigi Onimisi now,” the statement concluded.