Online journalists have stated that contrary to the claims in some official quarters, especially the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), they are not terrorists.
The online journalists under the aegis of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) expressed concern over claims by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that two of its members conspired to commit terrorism offences and cyber-crime because they approved an opinion article on their website which the police sees as uncomplimentary and offensive.
The NPF had last Thursday arraigned Messrs Timothy Elombah and Daniel Elombah over allegations of terrorism and cyber-crime. They were charged by the NPF for Cybercrime, cyber stalking, cyber bullying and for “championing Biafra terrorism”.
In a statement signed by OPAN President, Mr. Austyn Ogannah, the association called on the police to withdraw the spurious charges without delay and stop harassing journalists for doing their constitutionally backed assignments.
According to the statement, 4-count charge filed at the Federal High Court 5 in Abuja revealed that the NPF charged the Elombah brothers for cyber bullying and cyber stalking the Inspector General Of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris. OPAN is worried by the police’s claim that these journalists carrying out their social responsibility, which is enshrined in the constitution, intend to “create native war and lead to breakdown of law in the country.” This claim is not only ridiculous, but also disgraceful of the police force under the care of Mr. Idris.
Continuing, OPAN said: “It is laughable that the police force under whose watch 110 female teenage students were kidnapped from their dormitory at the Government Girls Technical Science College, Dapchi, Yobe State, can shamelessly descend so low to the extent of filing fabricated charges against the two journalists who are contributing their own quota to National development.
“The reputable media organization has stated that they have nothing to do with the publication in question, because it was neither written by the Editor or Publisher or any staffer and there is nothing in Elombah.com that promotes terrorism in Nigeria. It is to be noted that the online medium has published series of articles against the activities of Boko Haram in the country and other acts of terrorism, so linking it with the activities of IPOB is a joke taken too far. For clarity, OPAN restates that Elombah.com is a responsible media organization. It is not a terrorist organization and neither is it “championing Biafra terrorism”.
