The family of a detained journalist has raised alarm over his worsening health at the Abeokuta Correctional Centre.
Bashiru Ahmed Olamilekan, a blogger, and publisher of EaglesForeSight has already spent 100 days at the Abeokuta Prison in Ogun State where he has been incarcerated over a news report.
The news report which was culled from People’s Gazzette Online newspaper narrated how the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun was convicted for fraud in the United States of America.
The State Security Services(SSS) had arrested Bashiru over an allegation of character defamation and cybercrime, citing a publication made by the blogger on April 27, 2022. The publication was entitled “2023; I Was Arrested (convicted) for Fraud in the US, But APC Lacks the Power to Disqualify Me – Governor Abiodun.”
Bashiru was first arrested on April 29, two days after the publication, and later released on bail. He was rearrested on May 13, 2022, and subsequently arraigned at a High Court in, Abeokuta.
After his arrest, Bashiru was coerced by his accusers to delete the story from his web page. The Blogger’s decision to comply with the demands of the security operatives did not change anything, as he was still remanded in prison custody. However, on May 27, 2022, the High Court Judge granted him bail under stringent conditions which stipulate that he must provide two sureties who own property worth three million Naira. Both sureties are also expected to deposit one million cash as a bail bond.
The journalist’s relatives told NOHR that during his few court appearances, he was arraigned in the dock while shackled in handcuffs like a common criminal.
One of his relatives told NOHR that Bashiru is currently sick in prison without proper medical attention. During his last appearance in Court, the case was adjourned to October 6, 2022.
