Vanguard
19 November 2008
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned what it calls "crude Gestapo tactics" by security agencies against editors of Abuja-based Leadership newspaper.
The Guild in a statement by its President, Mr Gbenga Adefaye said: "Since the unfortunate publication of November 8, 2008 when Leadership newspaper erred on specific material facts concerning the health of President Umaru Ya'Adua, overzealous security agents from the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police have made life unbearable for the editors of Leadership newspaper.
"Leadership newspaper erred and the Presidential Adviser on Media, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, called the newspapers attention to the error. He even said the President would waive his immunity to clear his name even if it means risking being subpoenaed to present his medical records in court.
"On its part, Leadership editors, without prejudice to the President's resort to court processes, admitted their fault and apologised to the President. That ought to have been sufficient proof of contriteness.
There can be no worse indictment and punishment in a business where trust by the discerning, reading public is the most important success factor.
"Unfortunately, the SSS and police would have none of that: they have resorted to the crude Gestapo tactics of old - they have arrested the editors, released and arrested them again, quizzed them and, according to some reports, even forcibly removed computers from the company's premises -in an apparent effort to subdue and intimidate the journalists. Both the SSS and the Police have not concerned themselves with President Yar'Adua's quest for due process and rule of law.
"The Nigerian Guild of Editors condemns in very strong terms the crude acts of intimidation by the security agencies. The Guild is concerned that the agencies are overreaching themselves at the expense of the President whose regime is already being accused of hyper-sensitivity and over reaction to media infractions .
"The Guild calls on the government of President Yar'Adua to call the security agencies to order. The siege on the Leadership - or any section of the press - is clearly against the administration's avowed commitment to due process and the rule of law."
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