The International Press Center, (IPC), has demanded the immediate release of Yinka Badmus, a photojournalist with Talk Village International in Lagos.
In a report by a Newspaper dated January 11th, 2019, Badmus aged 24 was arrested on New Year eve by policemen attached to the Lagos State Anti-Cultism unit for wearing dreadlocks, which the officers allegedly said made him look like a cultist while eating noodles at Pedro Bus stop, Gbagada, Lagos.
However in a statement, Lanre Arogundade, Director, IPC said it was unconstitutional for him to have been held for many days before he was eventually arraigned and remanded on the orders of an Ogudu Magistrate Court in Lagos.
In the Statement signed by Stella Nwofia, IPC Program Manager, Arogundade pleaded with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to step into the matter so that the photojournalist could regain his freedom.
The IPC Director also enjoined journalists to be mindful of their safety and ensure they have
a means of identification on them at all times.
Yinka Badmus, is currently being held at Ikoyi Prisons.
Below is the full text of the Press Statement:
Press Release
January 12, 2018
IPC condemns arrest, demands release of Photojournalist
The International Press Center, Lagos demands the immediate release of Yinka Badmus, a photojournalist with Talk Village International in Lagos.
In a report by Vanguard Newspaper dated January 11th, 2019, Badmus, 24 was arrested on New Year eve by policemen attached to the Lagos State Anti-Cultism unit for wearing dreadlocks, which the officers allegedly said made him look like a cultist while eating noodles at Pedro Bus stop, Gbagada, Lagos.
In a statement, Lanre Arogundade, Director, IPC said it was unconstitutional for him to have been detained for many days before he was eventually arraigned and remanded on the orders of an Ogudu Magistrate Court, Lagos.
Mr. Arogundade pleaded with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to step into the matter so that the photo journalist could regain his freedom.
The IPC Director also enjoined journalists to be mindful of their safety and ensure they have
a means of identification on them at all times.
Yinka Badmus, is currently being held at Ikoyi Prisons.
SGD
Stella Nwofia
Program Manager, IPC
stellanwofia@ipcng.org
+2348020359629