Samuel Ogundipe, Premium Times journalist, who has been detained since Tuesday has been released.
Ogundipe was released on Friday morning after he was granted bail by magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Kubwa, Abuja.
The judge had first heard the case on Wednesday after Mr Ogundipe was covertly arraigned without being allowed legal representation. On that day, Mr Mohammed approved a request by the police that the journalist be detained for five days until August 20.
On Friday morning, Premium Times reports that Mr Ogundipe was to be taken to the same court. The company’s lawyer was thus present at the court.
At the court, the lawyer argued for the bail of Mr Ogundipe, a demand that was not opposed by the police counsel.
Mohammed granted the bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
The bail conditions were met and Mr Ogundipe was released.
Recall that earlier on Thursday, Premium Times had responded to a statement by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, accusing Mr Ogundipe of being in possession of classified document.
Mr Moshood alleged that Mr Ogundipe’s action can cause a breach of national security.
In its response, Premium Times through its Lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said Mr Moshood’s statement was “misleading and prejudicial.”
Ogundipe’s imprisonment has been condemned by Nigerians, local and international rights groups including Amnesty International and Committee to Protect Journalists.