By Idibhar Julius/Yenagoa
…Petition EFCC
The Publisher of a Yenagoa based local tabloid Niger Delta Herald, Francis Dufugha and the correspondent of Vanguard daily newspaper, Emem Idio have condemned their arrest by police operatives from the Zone 16.
The two journalists were arrested on Tuesday following a petition written to the command by the Director of Finance in the Bayelsa state Ministry of Education, Mr. Joe Sikpi over a report bothering on alleged illegal financial deductions from contractors handling various projects in the Ministry.
The Journalists, while lamenting their detention at the Zone 16 Police Command from morning till evening before their release, also recounted that they carried out thorough investigation of the alleged financial fraud and secured response from the accused before publication to ensure balanced reportage as professionalism demands.
He said: “Actually, l was arrested by the Nigeria Police based on a petition l discovered was signed by the Director of Finance of the Ministry of Education, Bayelsa state. The report, when it came to my desk, we investigated, and he (the accused) reacted which gave us a balanced report and the story was published.”
According to the Niger Delta Herald publisher, the arrest was a failed attempt to muzzle journalists from carrying out their legitimate duty as watchdog of society, stressing that no amount of intimidation would deter them.
“What happened today was an attempt to coarse journalists from performing their legitimate duties,” the publisher affirmed.
He commended the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ led by the Chairman, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, the state Secretary, Stanley Imgbi and a host of other members of the pen profession who thronged the zone 16 police command in solidarity for their detained colleagues.
The prolific writer called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and other relevant bodies to investigate the Bayelsa state Ministry of Education to unravel the alleged fraud
Dufugha also used the medium to advise the Bayelsa state Governor, Senator Douye Diri to be wary of some corrupt elements in his administration who are selfishly hellbent of derailing the Prosperity Agenda of the Sampou born governor.
