The Nigeria police have accused PREMIUM TIMES’ reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, of ‘criminal trespass, theft in dwelling house” and other offences.
This is contained in the charge sheet filed at the Kubwa magistrate court by the police against Mr Ogundipe.
The document obtained on Thursday by this newspaper shows Mr Ogundipe is accused of offences that contravene sections 352, 288 and 319 of the Penal Code law.
The reporter was secretly arraigned at a magistrate court in Kubwa on Wednesday, after he was detained by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad on Tuesday, August 14.
According to the charge-sheet, “the nature of the crime” was stated thus: “Criminal trespass, theft in dwelling house, and having ‘in’ possession of police interim investigation report, contrary and punishable under section 352, 288 and 319A of the penal code law; that on or about August 2018, the office of Inspector-General of Police Special Tactical Squad (STS) Force Head Quarters FCT Abuja was informed that you, Samuel Ogundipe “M” 32 years of Wuse Zone 2 Abuja was arrested for committing ‘and’ offence of theft of police interim report on criminal conspiracy to ‘with’, Trespass, intimidation and unlawful invasion of National Assembly complex with intent likely to cause breach of public peace, stored in the confidential registry of State House, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
A copy of the police information report containing the charge with the number: CR/332/2018 only showed that Mr Ogundipe was charged at a court in Kubwa
Mr Ogundipe was arrested and detained for failing to disclose the source of a story he had written.
The story revealed a preliminary report by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on last week’s siege to the National Assembly by security officials.
In the preliminary report, Mr Idris said Mr Daura was working for some politicians for selfish interest. He did not name the accomplices.
Speaking during a protest by various groups demanding the release of Mr Ogundipe on August 16, police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood engaged in double speak on the police pressure on Mr Ogundipe to disclose his source.
“We are not saying tell us the source of your story, we are saying tell us where the document emanates from,” he said.
Mr Ogundipe’s arrest and detention have been condemned by local and international rights groups including Amnesty International and Committee to Protect Journalists.
Download the charge sheet here and here.
