The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police has invited a Premium Times journalist over an ongoing report about a land dispute in Abuja.
The police have summoned Emmanuel Agbo after a party in a land dispute he was investigating petitioned the police.
Premium Times reports that Mr Agbo received an invitation letter dated 31 May from the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence Response Team (NPF-IRT), Abuja via WhatsApp on Monday. He was earlier invited via a phone call.
However, a letter was later sent to the reporter after he requested a formal invitation instead of an informal invite through a phone call.
“I am Ezemba Ezekiel from the Intelligence Response Team. I am calling you on behalf of Homadils. You are expected to come over to our office at Abattoir in Guzape to clarify a petition,” Premium Times quoted the police as saying in a phone call.
It was gathered that a land developer, Homadils Realty Limited, that is at the center of a report that Mr Agbo is working on had petitioned the police.
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While gathering facts for the story, the reporter had contacted the Chief Executive Officer of Homadils, Bilkisu Aliu, through a phone call. Ms Aliu has reportedly responded to enquiries from the reporter on the disputed land that involves another party that is claiming ownership of the land in question.
The self identified police officer, Mr Ezekiel sent an invitation letter dated 31 May to Mr Agbo via WhatsApp on Monday. The invite asked the reporter to appear at the IRT Complex in Abuja on Wednesday, June 5 by 2pm.
Premium Times, Mr. Agbo’s employer, in a letter, to the police assured them that it is ready to support their investigation. The digital investigative platform further requested details of the petition from the police to enable the reporter to prepare for the appearance.
Police Incessant Harassment of Journalists
The Police have recently targeted more journalists in Nigeria for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities as the fourth estate of the realm.
Just recently, the police detained the Executive Director of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Dayo Aiyetan, alongside an ICIR investigative reporter, Nurudeen Akewushola, for hours after they honoured a police invitation.
Prior to that, police abducted a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Daniel Ojukwu in Lagos. The police transferred Mr Ojukwu to Abuja from Lagos. He was later released after nine days in detention.
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