Mr. Rotimi Jolayemi, the freelance broadcaster who was detained for 45 days for allegedly insulting the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says he was not tortured by the police throughout his stay in their custody.
Jolayemi said this during an interview with The PUNCH on Friday shortly after he was released on the orders of Justice Anwuli Chikere of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
He said, “All through my detention the police did not torture me for one day. They acted professionally. I am grateful to the media for all the reports and for everyone including the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria which helped facilitate my bail.”
Jolayemi, who anchors a Yoruba radio programme, ‘Bi aye se ri’ on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was on May 5, 2020 arrested by the police for distributing a song which was highly critical of the minister.
Earlier, his wife, Dorcas, and his two brothers were arrested and spent over a week in police custody when they could not produce him. However, after the journalist had turned himself in, they were released.
Jolayemi, who is the Vice-Chairman, Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, Osun State chapter, was subsequently brought to Abuja where he remained since May 7.
On June 11, 2020, he was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on six-counts bordering on the alleged distribution of an audio file said to have caused annoyance, ill will, hatred, and insults towards the minister.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Joseph Offor, the offence contravenes section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
Jolayemi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court ordered his remand in police custody pending the bail hearing.
Justice Chikere ordered his release on Friday and adjourned the matter till September 29, 2020, for mention.
END
Be the first to comment