IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT UPDATE - NIGERIA

9 July 2004

Journalist released

SOURCE: Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Lagos

**Updates IFEX alert of 7 July 2004**

(MRA/IFEX) - On 8 July 2004, police in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria,
released Kola Oyelere, the Kano State correspondent for the privately-owned
"Nigerian Tribune" newspaper. Oyelere was arrested by police on 4 July on
charges of publishing false information.

Oyelere was initially declared wanted on 4 July and arrested later the same day.
He was detained, reportedly tortured and subsequently charged on 5 July with
publishing false information in contravention of Sections 74, 114, 139, 140, 392
and 397 of the Penal Code of Kano State, following the publication of a story on
the front page of the 4 July "Sunday Tribune" titled, "Panic in Kano . . . as
Fresh Crisis Looms". Oyelere co-authored the story with the newspaper's Abuja
correspondent, Bankole Makinde.

Oyelere said he has been ordered by police to appear on 9 July before the Kano
Chief Magistrate Court, where he was arraigned on 5 July. The police will then
decide whether to drop the charges against him or continue with the case.

For further information, contact Ayode Longe, Media Rights Agenda, 10 Agboola
Aina Street, off Amore Street, Ikeja, P.O. Box 52113, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria,
tel: +234 1 493 6033, fax: +234 1 493 0831, e-mail: [email protected],
Internet: http://www.internews.org/mra

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