A grievance has been brought forth by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi. The NUJ’s concern is centered around the unjust incarceration of Chief Femi Olugbemi, the publisher of Democracy News, who is currently being detained at the Kabba Correctional facility in the state.
In their petition, J.U. Usman, the legal representative of Kogi NUJ, highlighted that Edwin Tebu, the President of Upper Area Court Kabba, had unlawfully detained Olugbemi on grounds of alleged criminal defamation.
Entitled “Gross Abuse of Office, Reckless Exercise of Discretion and Unlawful Incarceration of Our Client,” the petition shed light on Olugbemi’s clean record as a professional journalist who has always adhered to the ethics of journalism without any legal infractions.
On the 6th of August 2024, a staff member from the Upper Area Court in Kabba made an unexpected visit to Olugbemi’s residence, summoning him urgently to meet the court’s president, Edwin Tebu, without providing a reason for the summons. Olugbemi’s attempt to inquire about the purpose of the summons was met with evasion by the court staff.
Upon arrival at the court, Olugbemi was promptly arraigned without being presented with a copy of the charges or complaint against him. Despite his plea of not guilty to the allegation of criminal defamation, he was remanded to the Kabba Correctional facility without proper legal procedure.
The petition raised crucial questions regarding the legality of the court’s actions, including the President of Upper Area Court’s authority to summon Olugbemi, the court’s jurisdiction in a case where the defendant wasn’t served with the charge sheet, and the propriety of remanding Olugbemi without police investigation.
Kogi NUJ’s legal counsel stressed the imperative for the Chief Judge to intervene, conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, and ensure justice prevails in the case.