SSS arrests, detains SUN Editor at confab

    
The ongoing National Conference was on Wednesday almost disrupted by the arrest of a Deputy Editor of The SUN newspapers, Mr Iheanacho Nwosu, by the Department of State Services over a story that was published on the exchange of blows between an operative of the State Security Service and a policeman.

The journalist, who is one of the accredited newsmen covering proceedings at the confab holding at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, was picked up by DSS operatives at about 2pm and whisked to their office within the NJI.

He was detained for over 30 minutes but eventually released after some journalists besieged the area, where he was being detained.

Nwosu stated that although the authenticity of the report could not be faulted, the operatives told him they were embarrassed by the report because they were queried by their superiors and the Presidency over the ugly scuffle which reportedly took place on Tuesday.

The action of the DSS operatives was condemned by delegates with Mr., Niyi Akintola (SAN) raising a point of order when the plenary resumed after break.

He warned that in a democratic dispensation, it was wrong for security operatives to infringe on the rights of a journalist who was carrying out his legitimate responsibilities.

According to him, the era of abuse of human rights must not be revisited in the present democratic dispensation.

His submission was supported by other delegates who condemned the action of DSS operatives.

A delegate representing the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, also condemned the arrest and detention when he took Nwosu to meet the leader of the SSS team at the confab venue.

The Deputy Chairman of the Conference and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Adeyemi, warned security agencies to respect the rights of people who were carrying out their lawful duties.