Arrest of The Nation editors: We acted on OBJ’s petition – IG

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim explained yesterday that the police arrested four editors and three non-editorial staff of The Nation newspapers following a complaint lodged by former President Olusegun Obasanjo who alleged that a letter purportedly written by him to President Goodluck Jonathan which was published by the newspaper was forged.
Speaking on the arrest yesterday, the police boss insisted that the complainant in the matter, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has the constitutional right to lay complaint to the Nigeria Police if his rights were trampled upon.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olusola Amore titled ‘IGP Clears Air on Arrested Journalists’, Ringim said seven members of staff of the newspaper were arrested and interrogated, pointing out that one of the staff at the centre of the complaint was still assisting the Police in their investigations while others have been released.

BRIEFING—From left: Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, DIG Azubuko Udah and DIG Abubakar addressing newsmen recently . Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Inspector-General of Police Hafiz A. Ringim, has been drawn to the case of criminal complaint instituted by an individual against members of a Nigerian daily newspaper.
“The IGP wishes to state clearly that the complaint emanates from an aggrieved individual who under the Nigerian Constitution has a right to lay complaint to the Nigeria Police.
“In the process of this criminal investigation, seven (7) members of the daily newspaper complained against were arrested and interrogated. However one of the arrested staff found to be at the centre of the complaint is still assisting the Police in their investigations, while the remaining six (6) have been released.
“Due to the perceived public interest in the matter, members of the public will be briefed from time to time on this criminal investigation”, he said.
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