Published 16th May, 2022

By Joseph Adeiye

The State Security Service (SSS), Ogun State, has arrested Olamikan Hammed, a blogger and publisher of EaglesForeSight, for undisclosed charges.

Festus Ogun, activist and counsel for the blogger who has been in detention for three days, made a statement on the detention on Sunday.

“The Ogun State Command of the State Security Service (SSS) has arrested and detained blogger and publisher of EaglesForeSight, Prince Olamilekan Hammed (Lahbash), for reasons yet to be disclosed,” Ogun wrote.

The State Security Service in Ogun invited Hammed for questioning on Friday, according to Ogun, and he honoured the invitation, only to be detained in relation to articles about Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, on his website.

“The supposed invitation bordered on reports published by the blogger exposing the criminal activities of Dapo Abiodun in the United States,” Ogun wrote.

“Mr Hammed, since arrested, has continued to face unjust harassment, torture and intimidation for merely doing his job as a citizen journalist after being forced to pull down the story from his website.

“Given that journalism is not a crime in this country, the earlier invitations, recent arrest and subsequent detention of Prince Olamilekan Hammed by the SSS is completely illegal and a naked abuse of power. Sections 34, 35 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution are clear on this.

Ogun believes the governor is abusing his powers to silence his client who only did his job by “amplifying publicly available records”.

Also, Ogun faulted the SSS and claimed it had served as a tool of intimidation by Abiodun.

“This naked abuse of power stands condemned. The willingness of lawless SSS to be used as tools of intimidation and state repression also stands condemned. For how long will this daylight fascism continue?” He asked.

“The SSS must release Prince Olamilekan Hammed immediately and unconditionally. We will stop at nothing to enforce his media and human rights if our modest demands are not met immediately.”

FIJ made several calls to the SSS, but they were not answered. A text message sent to them had also not been responded to at press time.

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