What detained journalist Abiri said in court
Detained journalist, Jones Abiri, has disclosed his experience in the hands of the Department of State Services (DSS) after he was produced before a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on Thursday. Jones Abiri, who is the publisher of a community newspaper, Weekly Source Newspaper, was arraigned on one-count charge of criminal intimidation […]
Detained journalist, Jones Abiri, has disclosed his experience in the hands of the Department of State Services (DSS) after he was produced before a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on Thursday.
Jones Abiri, who is the publisher of a community newspaper, Weekly Source Newspaper, was arraigned on one-count charge of criminal intimidation alongside Collins Trueman Opumei, an SA to the Governor of Bayelsa State.
On the allegation against him, he said: “Yes, the first day that we came to court, the alleged offence was sending threatening text messages to Nigerian AGIP Oil Company and Shell Development Company purportedly claiming N250 million from them.”
On how he was treated in detention, he said: “I would not try to dent their reputation, all along in terms of food, medicals, anytime I call on them, they provide the necessary facilities for me to have a comfort.”
On his experience since detention in July, 2016, he said: “It is a pathetic situation for me to be facing this kind of persecution. In fact, I knew very well that by Divine mercy and the power of Almighty God, I believe and I am so resilient, that I would come out from this case.”
On the SA to the governor of Bayelsa State, he said: “I don’t have any personal relationship with him.”
The journalist was moved out of the DSS detention facility to the Nigerian Prison in Keffi, Nasawara State following his bail by the court. But he is yet to fulfill the bail terms.
Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke had granted bail to the defendants after their first arraignment last week Friday and approved August 8 as date to vary the bail conditions.
Counsel to Abiri, Bala Dakum had described the bail conditions granted on Friday as too stringent for his client.