Does FG Have Anything to Do With Premium Times Editor's Arrest? This is What Lai Mohammed Has To Say

 

 

The Federal Government has again reiterated its vow not do anything to stifle press freedom in the country, The Punch reports.

 

It said it was keenly aware that a free press was vital to the success of democracy anywhere in the world.

 

Minister of Information and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this in a statement in Abuja.

 

Mohammed was particularly referring to the arrest of the Publisher of an online medium, Premium Times, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi and a reporter working for the paper, Ms. Evelyn Okakwu, by the police in Abuja last week.

 

He said the issue that led to the arrest of the two journalists was a personal one and that it had nothing to do with the government.

 

He said even the Federal Government would not even tamper with the social media despite its shortcomings.

 

He said, “The Federal Government will not do anything to stifle press freedom, because it is keenly aware that a free press is vital to the success of any democracy.

 

He said the whole issue of the journalists’ arrest is purely a private affair involving a citizen and a privately-owned newspaper, and wondered how that could now be construed as an attempt by the government to intimidate the press.

 

The minister said, “We have said it before and we want to re-state it: The Federal Government has no immediate or long-term plan to stifle press freedom.