Dayo Ayetan, the Executive Director of the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and Nurudeen Akewushola, a reporter of the organization, have been released from police custody.
The ICIR disclosed their release via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
According to the organization, the journalists were released from the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre at 9:15 PM on Monday, after more than nine hours of questioning.
The pair had honored invitations from the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Akewushola was released on bail to Mojeed Muskilu, president of the International Press Institute.
Aiyetan, confirming their release on his X page, described their experience as a blatant abuse of state power.
He accused former Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase of orchestrating the detention.
“After nine hours of questioning, writing statements, arguing, shouting, and appealing, Nurudeen Akewushola and I were released by the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre.
What happened today is a shameful and brazen abuse of power by a man who deems himself above the law,” Aiyetan stated on X.
He further alleged, “Former IGP Solomon Arase is behind the invitation and detention of both of us for exposing corruption that he presided over. Today, he leads the Police Service Commission. I say it boldly here that Solomon Arase is not fit for that office.”
Akewushola also confirmed his release on his X page at 10:16 PM on Tuesday.
Harbinger had earlier reported that both journalists were detained for over six hours following their appearance at the police and ICPC offices.
