Counsel to the Chief of Army Staff Barr Ugochukwu Osuagwu has said that Police will soon file criminal charges against Premium times Publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, and the reporter, Ms Evelyn Okakwu in what the lawyer called peddling of “injurious falsehood against the person of the Chief of Army Staff.”
In a statement denying the report that the Nigerian army and the Premium Times have resolved to end the impasse peacefully, the lawyer said that there was no such thing.
“No such statement was made by the FCT POLICE COMMAND nor the COMMISSIONER.
“What we had with the FCT Police Commissioner was a session to extract facts from both sides of the matter before the Police can proceed with filing criminal charges against Premium times Personalities involved in peddling injurious falsehood against the person of the Chief of Army Staff.
“In fact the three Count charges against the affected premium times staff were ready as at 5pm on Friday. They would be arraigned in Court this week. There is no such thing as peace meeting or reconciliation as claimed by Vanguard. This is a criminal matter and not civil where you reconcile.
Barrister Osuagwu said that it was embarrassing and unprofessional  to publish a story  that was not verified and for which the other party was consulted before the publication online.
“I hope you are all aware of the existence  of the Cyber CRIMES ACT 2015 on the implication of such false online publications.”
This was even as Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) condemned the siege on the office of Premium Times and the arrest and detention of its operatives, describing it as unwarranted assault on the freedom of the press and undue interference.
A statement by the NGE President, Funke Egbemode and General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga said that the Guild is concerned about the growing clampdown, intimidation and frequent harassment of journalists by the police and other law enforcement agencies in the course of doing their lawful jobs.
The NGE expressed its displeasure and disappointment over the conduct of the officers concerned, adding that they are supposed to protect them from harm at all times.
“It is important to let overzealous security agencies know that harassment of media practitioners is inappropriate and capable of creating tension in an already tensed nation. It is an unkind reminder of the dark days of military rule, which witnessed concerted efforts to gag the press through unlawful detention of journalists without trial. Wielding the big stick and raiding newsrooms at will in a democratic setting are conducts of poor judgment and sad ways of reminding Nigerians of those days they would rather forget.
“May we also remind all security agencies that what ought to exist between the media and security is a symbiotic relationship that would promote peace and help both parties do their jobs effectively. This country belongs to all of us and we all must work hard to protect the integrity, peaceful co-existence and all that binds us together as one entity.
“The NGE is aware of the enormous responsibilities and functions of the media as an institution and would like to note that media practitioners are not above the law. Media practice is guided by rules and regulations and laws. There are options for any aggrieved person to seek redress if a media practitioner offends and libels him or her. Arrest and detention never end well. They only lead to strained relationship.
“It is important to tread cautiously and nurture Nigeria’s democracy for the benefit of all. Journalists should not be subjected to inhuman treatment for exercising their Constitutional right to freedom of expression and doing their jobs.
“We seize this opportunity to thank all those who caused the release of the affected journalists. As law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, we will continue to defend our democracy within the confines of what is right and legal and we implore all media practitioners in the country to continue to emphasize those things that unite us rather than things that divide us.”  [myad]

PREMIUM TIMES online medium operating from Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory has sent what looks like Vote Of Thanks (VOT) to all those who showed support and solidarity with it at the time its Chief Executive Officer and publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi and reporter, Evelyn Okakwu, were arrested by the Nigerian Police Force on Thursday, January 19.
In a statement by the Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo, medium recalled that “the world rose in solidarity and stood firmly with us, with everyone not only condemning the attack but also calling for the immediate release of our staff.
“We thank the Nigerian Union of Journalists, civil and human rights organization, non-governmental organizations, clergymen, legal practitioners, political leaders and officials of government at different levels who played roles, openly or discreetly, in ensuring that our colleagues were freed.
“We thank local and foreign media organizations who reported the event as it unfolded and pressured authorities to do the right thing.
“Our gratitude goes to all human rights groups and other global organizations which in one form or another helped pressured the police, the army and the Nigerian government to let our journalists go.
“We thank individuals at home and abroad who also called in not only to express their support for our work but also demanded that our colleagues be freed.
“We cannot forget our esteemed readers who stood by us during those dark hours. We truly cannot thank you all enough.
Your solidarity and support showed that PREMIUM TIMES has become a public trust that should continue to play active roles in the affairs of our nation and the world at large, especially as an agent of social change and justice.”
PREMIUM TIMES promised to continue to do its best in helping to make Nigeria and the world a better place to live in. [myad]

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has announced that he is waiting to hear from the chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, the Regent of Unwana, Alu Ibiam and others in the community whether to build a brand new palace for the former premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Akanu Ibiam or renovate the existing one.

“We went to Akanu Ibiam’s palace and saw that the road which leads to his palace needed urgent attention. And at Akanu Ibam palace, we offered to renovate it (palace) within the period of one year or in the alternative, build a brand new palace within a period of two years. We are now waiting for the community to advise us on what to do.”
Engr. Umahi who spoke when he conducted an inspection of some projects in the community, also promised to commence the rehabilitation of the bad portions of the Afikpo-Unwana road within the next couple of weeks.
The governor extolled the leadership qualities and pioneering role which Dr. Ibiam played in the creation of Ebonyi State, adding that his administration would continue to accord him the highest honour.

Until his death in July 1995, the late premier, who founded Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was the traditional ruler of Unwana.
Umahi was also in   Ekoli Edda where he inaugurated the street light initiated by his administration through the Sustainable Development Goals.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, quoted Umahi as having told   the people of Ekoli Edda that he could not proceed to Edda without   visiting Akanu Ibam’s home even as he charged the caretaker chairmen of the 13 Local Government Areas to protect electric cables and street light installations in their areas against vandalism.

He also called on the people of Edda to work together so as to attract more development, describing Edda  people as one of  the richest in terms of intellectual capacity and  wealth  in the state.
“I want to challenge every local government- there should be no stealing of cables.
“If you show example with one person who steals cable, by taking such  person to police, others will learn their lesson.
“I want our people here in Edda to work together. You are one of the richest local governments in terms of intellectual capacity and wealth. And so, you have to deploy these in a way of unity to work together and live together.” [myad]