International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL has summoned an-Ibadan based journalist, Peter Olasupo over cyber-stalking and criminal defamation allegations.
Olasupo has therefore been directed to report at the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
The journalist made the revelation on his Facebook page, saying he’s still unawares of the allegation against him, wondering why he has been summoned without the police giving details of what he has been accused of.
The development comes on the heels of criticisms of media harassment against the federal government, which critics described as apart of the reported plan by those in authority to stiffen free speech.
According to Olasupo, the police had in a letter sent to his office on December 0, requested that he made himself available at the Force Headquarters on January 13, 2025.
He wrote on Facebook, “I recently received a letter with the headline Investigation Activities/Invitation Letter from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), informing me of an investigation into allegations of Criminal Defamation and Cyberstalking involving me. They requested that I report to INTERPOL Headquarters at Force Headquarters, Shehu Shagari Way, Garki, Abuja, on Monday, 30th December 2024, at 11:00 AM in furtherance of the investigation.
“Upon receiving the letter through my boss, my boss immediately contacted our able lawyer Barr. Yomi Ogunlola, who responded on my behalf, resulting in a rescheduled appearance date of Monday, 13th January 2025.
“Now, I have so many questions: Who reported me to INTERPOL? Why INTERPOL? Who is defaming who? And who is cyberstalking who? My Lord, I am innocent of these allegations.
“At the moment, I don’t have full details of the matter, but I will present myself at their office and fully cooperate with INTERPOL’s investigation into the alleged case. However, I am curious— why must I report to the Abuja office? Why can’t I report to the Nigeria Police Headquarters at the Oyo State Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, or even their Lagos office, which would be easier for me to reach by train?
“INTERPOL, if you truly want to facilitate this process, shouldn’t you at least provide travel allowances? Or will you use police helicopter to carry me? Traveling by air is costly these days, and traveling by road has its risks. Yet, here I am being summoned to Abuja. Nonetheless, I will do what is required.
“To my fans, please know that this will not affect my dedication to doing the right thing or my professionalism, which you all know me for. I remain committed to speaking the truth to those in power”.
Shirley Ewang, a Lead Advocacy at Gatefied, had recently condemned the arrest of journalists by state actors, saying press freedom is under threat, claiming that 70 journalists were arrested in 2024 alone on various charges.
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