We Are Journalists Not Terrorists, Online Publishers Association Tells Police

The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) has
expressed concern over the claims by the Nigeria Police Force that
two of its members conspired to commit terrorism offences and cyber
crime because they approved an opinion article on their website
which the police see as uncomplimentary and offensive.

The Nigerian Police will today arraign Messrs.’ Timothy Elombah
and Daniel Elombah over allegations of terrorism and
cybercrime.

The Publishers of Elombah News were charged by the Nigerian
Police for cybercrime, cyber stalking, cyber bullying and for
“championing Biafra terrorism.” OPAN called on the police to
withdraw the spurious charges without delay and stop harassing
journalists for doing their constitutionally backed
assignments.

A four-count charge filed at the Federal High Court 5 in Abuja,
revealed that the police is charging the Elombah brothers for cyber
bullying and cyber stalking the Inspector General of Police,
Ibrahim Kpotum Idris.

OPAN is worried by the police claim that these journalists
carrying out their social responsibility, which is enshrined in the
constitution, intend to “create native war and lead to breakdown of
law in the country.”

It stated that the claim is not only ridiculous, but also
disgraceful of the police force under Idris.

“It is laughable that the police force under whose watch 110
female teenage students were kidnapped from their dormitory at the
Government Girls Technical Science College, Dapchi, Yobe State, can
shamelessly descend so low to the extent of filing fabricated
charges against the two journalists who are contributing their own
quota to national development,” OPAN said in a statement on
Wednesday.

“The reputable media organisation has stated that they have
nothing to do with the publication in question, because it was
neither written by the editor or publisher or any staffer and there
is nothing in Elombah.com that promotes terrorism in Nigeria.

“It is to be noted that the online medium has published series
of articles against the activities of Boko Haram in the country and
other acts of terrorism, so linking it with the activities of
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a joke taken too far.

“For clarity, OPAN restates that Elombah.com is a responsible
media organisation. It is not a terrorist organisation and neither
is it championing Biafra terrorism.”

The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) has
expressed concern over the claims by the Nigeria Police Force that
two of its members conspired to commit terrorism offences and cyber
crime because they approved an opinion article on their website
which the police see as uncomplimentary and offensive.

The Nigerian Police will today arraign Messrs.’ Timothy Elombah
and Daniel Elombah over allegations of terrorism and
cybercrime.

The Publishers of Elombah News were charged by the Nigerian
Police for cybercrime, cyber stalking, cyber bullying and for
“championing Biafra terrorism.” OPAN called on the police to
withdraw the spurious charges without delay and stop harassing
journalists for doing their constitutionally backed
assignments.

A four-count charge filed at the Federal High Court 5 in Abuja,
revealed that the police is charging the Elombah brothers for cyber
bullying and cyber stalking the Inspector General of Police,
Ibrahim Kpotum Idris.

OPAN is worried by the police claim that these journalists
carrying out their social responsibility, which is enshrined in the
constitution, intend to “create native war and lead to breakdown of
law in the country.”

It stated that the claim is not only ridiculous, but also
disgraceful of the police force under Idris.

“It is laughable that the police force under whose watch 110
female teenage students were kidnapped from their dormitory at the
Government Girls Technical Science College, Dapchi, Yobe State, can
shamelessly descend so low to the extent of filing fabricated
charges against the two journalists who are contributing their own
quota to national development,” OPAN said in a statement on
Wednesday.

“The reputable media organisation has stated that they have
nothing to do with the publication in question, because it was
neither written by the editor or publisher or any staffer and there
is nothing in Elombah.com that promotes terrorism in Nigeria.

“It is to be noted that the online medium has published series
of articles against the activities of Boko Haram in the country and
other acts of terrorism, so linking it with the activities of
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a joke taken too far.

“For clarity, OPAN restates that Elombah.com is a responsible
media organisation. It is not a terrorist organisation and neither
is it championing Biafra terrorism.”