Stanley Ugagbe, an Abuja-based journalist with Secret Reporters, has been released from police custody after the intervention of the International Press Institute Nigeria.
The media body disclosed that Ugagbe was granted bail on Monday evening following sustained discussions between its leadership and the police. According to IPI Nigeria’s legal adviser, Tobi Soniyi, the journalist was released to the institute’s president, Musikilu Mojeed.
Ugagbe had been taken into custody on July 1 after armed men in civilian clothing reportedly arrested him at his home in Jikwoyi Phase II, Abuja. Efforts by IPI Nigeria later established that he was being detained at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.
Despite his release, Soniyi said the police had not concluded their investigation into allegations of espionage, cyberstalking and other computer-related offences levelled against the journalist, adding that IPI Nigeria would continue to follow the matter closely.
Earlier, Secret Reporters editor-in-chief, Fejiro Oliver, linked the arrest to Ugagbe’s recent investigative reports involving Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Emem Usoro, although he noted that authorities had yet to officially state the reason for the journalist’s detention.
Oliver said the circumstances surrounding the arrest had sparked fresh concerns over press freedom, journalists’ safety and respect for citizens’ constitutional rights.
