IPI to DSS: Apologise to Adejuwon Soyinka | Officers involved must answer for their roles

The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) has asked the Department of State Services to ensure that operatives involved in the detention of Adejuwon Soyinka, the West African editor of The Conversation Africa, are held accountable for their roles.

On August 25, Soyinka was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, shortly after arriving from the UK.

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, told TheCable that Soyinka, the pioneer editor of the BBC pidgin service, was arrested at the request of another agency.

A few hours after his arrest, the journalist was released following the intervention of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, a global network of editors, media executives, and communication experts.

However, his passport was seized.

On Friday, Soyinka was accompanied by Inibehe Effiong, the human rights lawyer, to the DSS office in Ikoyi, Lagos to retrieve the passport.

Speaking on the development, Effiong said the secret police attributed the arrest of the journalist to “mistaken identity”.

Reacting to the development on Saturday, IPI Nigeria said it was shocked that the secret police could violate the rights of a law-abiding citizen the way it did.

“IPI Nigeria will consult with Mr Soyinka to decide how to respond to this unbelievable demonstration of incompetence by operatives of a key intelligence agency,” a statement issued by Musikilu Mojeed, chapter president, said.

“There must be accountability in this matter. All those involved in the unfortunate saga must answer for their roles.

“A good starting point is for the SSS to issue a formal apology to Mr Soyinka for the inconveniences and psychological anguish caused him.”

IPI also demanded a commitment from the agency that it will henceforth desist from exhibiting “reckless, undemocratic, and unprofessional behaviour” towards law-abiding citizens.