FOUNDATION FOR IJAW YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, (FIYE).
PRESS RELEASE
FIYE CONDEMN THE UNLAWFUL ARREST OF NAIJALIVE TV FOUNDER.
Our attention has been drawn to, and our thought been occupied by the news of the gruesome and unlawful arrest, and subsequent release of Mr Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, founder and CEO of Naijalive TV.
This was when men of the department of State Security Services, (DSS), broke into his house along Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) road in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayela State during the early hours, precisely 1.00am of Saturday, 9th May, 2020.
We are knowledgeable of the obvious fact that Mr Saint was unlawfully arrested and detained by the DSS hours after he published that the Deputy governor of Bayelsa State has been served with a subpoena to appear before the State’s Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to submit his original certificates.
Therefore, it’s no more news that the arrest, which was done in a junta and commando-style was not unconnected with the said publication, that is the actual reason he, (Mr Saint) was made to apologize under duress to the government of Bayelsa State before he was released.
However, we condemn this act in it’s entirely, because it symbolizes tyranny as well as lawlessness and high-handedness in Bayelsa State under the Governorship/leadership of Senator Douye Diri, a former Treasurer of Ijaw National Congress, (INC).
Nevertheless, we must state without mincing words and on the solid ground of truth that Mr Saint Mienpamo simply did his usual job as a Journalist regards the said publication in the cause of dissemination of relevant and factual information to the public, hence did nothing wrong to deserve any of the harassment, molestation and infringement of his fundamental human right he suffered at the hand of the DSS officials.
We were mystified at the time of getting the news of how Mr Saint was taken-away from his resident in the middle of the night in blindfolds by fully armed masked men to an unknown destination. So we thought it was an abduction by some rogues, only to be informed after 48hours that the dastardly act was carried by the DSS, which was evidently masterminded by the government of Bayelsa State.
At this juncture, we hereby use the medium to call on the founding fathers of Bayelsa state, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) Worldwide and all stakeholders of Ijawnation to advice the Senator Douye Diri led Bayelsa state Government to desist from using state apparatus to further harrass or molest Mr Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, who is a hardworking and innovative Bayelsa born journalist, and any other Bayelsan, because it’s not in the interest of the State in any way.
We must also say that Mr Saint is a pride of Bayelsa, Ijawnation and Niger Delta in general as the CEO of one of the most reliable online media platform for authentic news items. He is someone who represents true journalism.
Consequently, we, most especially those in leadership positions at all levels of Government should bear in mind that power is transcend and not everlasting, and that there is no dignity and edification in using State might as a tool of intimidation and a mechanism to oppress the people you govern at any slightest circumstance.
Signed;
Comrade Samson O Ajagbini
President, (FIYE)
