Adejuwon Soyinka, a prominent investigative journalist and the Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa, has been released on bail following his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, August 25th, 2024.
Soyinka’s sudden detention, which occurred shortly after his arrival from the United Kingdom, ignited widespread alarm among press freedom advocates, journalists, and the public.
Initially, the DSS, through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, denied any knowledge of Soyinka’s arrest. However, after mounting pressure and the intervention of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Soyinka was released from the DSS’s Ikoyi office after being held for over six hours. Notably, the DSS seized his international passport during the process.
The agency later disclosed that Soyinka’s detention was initiated based on a request from an unnamed foreign agency. Despite this explanation, the DSS refused to provide further details regarding the specific agency or country involved, fueling speculation and concern about the true motivations behind the arrest.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) quickly responded to the situation, expressing grave concerns about the implications of Soyinka’s arrest for press freedom in Nigeria.
In a post on their X (formerly Twitter) account, SERAP stated, “The Tinubu administration must immediately release journalist Adejuwon Soyinka… We’re concerned that Soyinka’s arrest is part of a growing crackdown against journalists, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders in Nigeria.”
IPI Nigeria also issued a strong statement condemning the arrest. Ahmed Shekarau, the Secretary, and Tobi Soniyi, the Legal Adviser and Chair of the Advocacy Committee, emphasized that Soyinka’s arrest was emblematic of a broader pattern of intimidation and harassment of journalists since President Bola Tinubu assumed office. They cited other recent incidents, including the arrest of journalist Segun Olatunji, as evidence of an escalating crackdown on press freedom.
In their statement, IPI Nigeria demanded the immediate and unconditional return of Soyinka’s passport and called on the federal government to cease its harassment of journalists. They urged the government to respect the freedom of the press and allow journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal.
IPI Nigeria’s statement also included a stark warning to journalists to remain vigilant and uphold the highest professional standards amidst this increasingly hostile environment.
As the situation unfolds, the arrest of Adejuwon Soyinka has once again spotlighted the challenges facing journalists in Nigeria, with growing concerns that the current administration is undermining press freedom and stifling critical voices in the country.
