Some concerned Nigerians besieged the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Abuja Thursday, demanding for the release of Samuel Ogundipe , a reporter with Premium Times. They condemned the continued detention of the journalist as well as the decision to try him secretly, without giving him access to his lawyer.
There have been calls from local and international groups for the release of Ogundipe since he was taken in earlier er in the week.
Ogundipe was arrested and detained on Tuesday, after the police used a decoy by first inviting his colleague over an apparent trump up charge, so as to bait him to the station through the colleague.
Though his lawyer and editor were told the next day that they should return by 4:00 pm before which no action will be taken, he was secretly taken to a magistrate court where he was remanded in detention for another five days. Besides, he was charged for offences different from what the cited law stated.