Our spirits remain unbroken, says Premium Times

Premium Times has appreciated everyone who stood by it during the arrest of two of its journalists, declaring that its “spirit remain unbroken”.

On Thursday, the police arrested Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of the online publication and Evelyn Okakwu, a judiciary reporter, over a report that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) indicated interest in probing Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, over alleged false declaration of assets.

The duo were later released on bail with no charges filed.

In a statement on Saturday, Idris Akinbajo, Premium Times’ managing editor, expressed delight over the support shown to the organisation.

While stating that it remained committed to strengthening the country’s democracy and promoting good governance, the online publication said it would not be intimidated by any institution of government.

“We at Premium Times hereby express our profound gratitude to all who showed support and solidarity with us when our journalists, Dapo Olorunyomi and Evelyn Okakwu, were arrested by the Nigerian police force on Thursday, January 19, 2017,” the statement read.

“During those hours when our offices were raided and colleagues detained, the world rose in solidarity and stood firmly with us, with everyone not only condemning the attack but also calling for the immediate release of our staff.

“We thank the Nigerian Union of Journalists, civil and human rights organisation, non-governmental organisations, clergymen, legal practitioners, political leaders and officials of government at different levels who played roles, openly or discreetly, in ensuring that our colleagues were freed.

“We thank local and foreign media organisations who reported the event as it unfolded and pressured authorities to do the right thing.

“Our gratitude goes to all human rights groups and other global organisations which in one form or another helped pressured the police, the army and the Nigerian government to let our journalists go. We thank individuals at home and abroad who also called in not only to express their support for our work but also demanded that our colleagues be freed.

“We cannot forget our esteemed readers who stood by us during those dark hours. We truly cannot thank you all enough. We will continue to do our best in helping to make our nation and the world a better place to live in.

“Despite the ordeals of our colleagues, our spirits remain unbroken in our commitment to strengthening our democracy and promoting good governance in our country.

“We will not be intimidated by any individual, group of individuals or institutions of government into giving up our quest for a country with strong and transparent institutions, and governed in the best possible way. We will continue to do our business legally, professionally and with un-diluted patriotism.”

He added that the online publication would continue to adhere to the ethics and tenets of the journalism profession.