In a joint effort, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo State Council, and the National Association of Seadogs, NAS, have demanded the immediate release of Mubarak Bala, who has been held in detention without trial for four years.
During a courtesy visit by NAS to the NUJ Secretariat to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, the two associations reiterated their call for Bala’s release.
Leading the NAS delegation was Mr. Olufemi Adesope, the Capoon, who was warmly received by NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola, and other executive members of the association.
Mubarak Bala, the former President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN), was arrested in 2020 by security operatives in Kaduna without a trial.
Leo Igwe, Chairman of the HAN Board of Trustees, confirmed the unauthorized arrest of Bala from his residence by plainclothes police officers.
In their plea to NUJ, NAS urged for solidarity to secure Bala’s release, which was met with support by Babalola, who emphasized the importance of upholding the detainee’s human rights.
Babalola expressed gratitude for the visit and assured of enhanced collaboration between the two bodies in fostering a fairer society.
Encouraging NAS to persist in their efforts, he pledged further cooperation from NUJ, underscoring the significance of the rule of law in protecting individual rights.