It has been 12 days since radio journalist Rotimi Jolayemi turned himself in to the Federal Investigation Bureau of the Nigeria Police Force, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The journalist had to, after his wife, friends and other relatives had been detained for days, in order to draw him out.
Jolayemi had stirred the hornet’s nest after he was said to have recited a poem on air, criticising the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
It has become a worry for the nation’s much maligned media that, since the journalist turned himself in on May 6, 2020, he neither been granted bail, charged to court or allowed to see family. This, the media thinks, may be a scenario reminiscent of that which a former presidential contestant, Omoyele Sowore endured, until the government had to be strong-armed into granting him and others bail.
Before he presented himself to the police on May 6, his wife, Dorcas Jolayemi, his brothers John and Joseph, as well as a few friends had been detained for no less than eight, nine and two days, respectively.
Even though the Media aide to the Minister, Segun Adeyemi, has continually denied his boss’ involvement, that fact that the drama began after the poem was read over the radio is an ugly coincidence that begs explanation.
However, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has joined the voices of concern.
In a press release signed by its national president, National President, Dr Osagie Obayuwana and made available the media, the committee condemned the situation, calling it “unlawful and detestable” and not mincing words in pointing at the minister.
“Mr Jolayemi is said to have been arrested by the police at the instance of the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on account of a poem read over the radio, considered critical of the minister.
“It is worrisome that Alhaji Lai Mohammed will have a hand in the arrest of wife of the journalist, Mrs Dorcas Jolayemi, and two of his brothers, John Olalere Jolayemi and Joseph Toba Jolayemi, who were kept in detention for eight, nine and two days respectively while the journalist was being sought.
“Furthermore, that even since Mr Jolayemi surrendered himself to the Police Headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State, on May 6, 2020, he is still being held till date without being charged to court or granted bail.
“The CDHR condemns in totality the violation of rights of Mr Jolayemi’s wife and brothers whose liberty were taken away from them for no other reason than being relations of Mr Jolayemi.
“The continued detention of Mr Jolayemi by the police at the instance of Alhaji Lai Mohammed is tantamount to punishing a citizen for the expression of his opinion. This is not justifiable in our Nigeria of today.
“We demand the immediate release of Mr Jolayemi, a public apology to him, his wife and brothers and payment of compensation to all four of them.”
The minister may think he has been unfairly and continually bludgeoned by the media and may think such actions may “teach them a lesson”; well, these things actually back-fire. In the days coming, many voices will join the few speaking up now to demand the whereabouts of Jolayemi and the role the minister had to play in his detention.
While the Police has been busy fencing and refusing to speak up, soon, it would have no place to hide in what promises to be a storm. Journalists would like to know where their colleague is and, soon, the Nigerian Union of Journalists will join the call.
Jolayemi’s arrest has brought to focus the gradually changing situation in a country where journalists were once allowed to speak their mind and always tug at the sleeves of an erring, prodigal, clueless leadership.
