IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - THE GAMBIA

7 January 2005

Nigerian journalist detained and questioned by police

SOURCE: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Accra

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 30 December 2004, Sam Obi, a Nigerian journalist and
presenter for the privately-owned City Limits Radio station, was detained
and subjected to questioning by officials of the Gambia Police Force's
Serious Crime Unit for six hours, in Serre Kunda, following an interview he
granted to Radio France International (RFI).

According to MFWA sources in The Gambia, Obi's interview with RFI dealt with
a march organised by the Gambia Press Union to protest the brutal murder of
Deyda Hydara, managing editor of the Banjul-based newspaper "The Point" (see
IFEX alerts of 6 January 2005 and 17 December 2004).

After airing the interview with RFI, Obi was summoned to the police station
for interrogation. Police later seized his tape recordings and residential
permits. "I was later escorted to City Limits Radio station to collect the
tape on which the interview was recorded, then to my house, where my
residential permits and other documents were seized," Obi told Gambia Press
Union President Demba Jawo, who condemned the arrest.

After nearly six hours in detention, the journalist was allowed to go home.
However, Obi was asked to report back to the police station on 31 December.
His seized documents were returned to him and he was freed without charge.

For further information, contact Jeannette Quarcoopome, Media Foundation for
West Africa, P.O. Box LG 730, Legon, Ghana, tel.: +233 21 24 24 70, fax:
+231 21 22 10 84, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.mfwaonline.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MFWA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MFWA.
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