Oluwole Adeboye, a reporter with the “P.M. News”, a mid-day newspaper in Lagos, fled his Agege home on December 11, 2003 and has since been in hiding. This follows the publication of a story with the reporter’s by-line, about the alleged unprofessional conduct of a police constable, Bamidele Adeola.
According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)-Nigeria, Adeboye had reported that the police officer robbed a commercial motorcycle operator of his GSM mobile phone and money. Following the publication, Constable Adeola was arrested and detained. He was later released; but is said to be facing administrative investigation and possible dismissal.
Babajide Otitoju, editor of the “P.M. News”, told MFWA-Nigeria that several unidentified persons have since been stalking Adeboye for exposing the policeman.
He has also received numerous telephone calls threatening to kill him for daring to expose the policeman. The management of the newspaper therefore advised the reporter to go into hiding until his safety can guaranteed.
MFWA appeals to the Lagos police administration to investigate the alleged threats on the life of journalist Oluwole Adebayo and ensure that he can exercise his legitimate national and universally subscribed rights to life, movement, opinion and expression.