Back and Next - Back and NextJournalist accuses prison officials of seizing belongings
Friday, February 1, 2008
Freed chairman, Editorial Board of Fresh Facts Newspapers, Mr. Sam Asowata, has accused the Uyo Prisons officials of confisticating his personal belongings.
Asowata, who was released on Tuesday, claimed that the Prisons officials refused to release his N4,500 cash, handset and a pair of sandals,even after the court had declared him a free man.
But in a reaction, a top employee of the Prisons, who simply identified himself as Eyo told our correspondent on Wednesday that Asowata‘s money and mobile phone were still in their custody.
Asowata, who was remanded in prison custody on Monday after being refused bail by a Magistrate Court in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, was charged with sedition in connection with a publication alleged to be offensive to the state government in the Fresh Facts newspaper.
He explained that he was surprised at the way he gained his freedom, adding that he was chatting with prison inmates when he was asked to go by a prison official.
He pointed out that his release came as a result of pressure on the state government, saying that the Presidency might have ordered that he should be freed.
Asowata, who expressed surprise at the charge against him, maintained that his organisation had its facts on the story about the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Reacting to the claim that Asowata was denied access to his property after regaining his freedom, Eyo explained that the Prisons did not seize any of the journalist‘s belongings.
Eyo, who is a record officer at the Uyo Prisons, stated that Asowata‘s mobile phone and the sum of N4,500 were taken from him and recorded.
According to him, Asowata came back from the court without the necessary document to show that he had actually been freed.
"We were surprised that after he left the prison for the court, he did not come back with a warrant of release and also the police that took him there did not come back with him."
Asowata, who was released on Tuesday, claimed that the Prisons officials refused to release his N4,500 cash, handset and a pair of sandals,even after the court had declared him a free man.
But in a reaction, a top employee of the Prisons, who simply identified himself as Eyo told our correspondent on Wednesday that Asowata‘s money and mobile phone were still in their custody.
Asowata, who was remanded in prison custody on Monday after being refused bail by a Magistrate Court in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, was charged with sedition in connection with a publication alleged to be offensive to the state government in the Fresh Facts newspaper.
He explained that he was surprised at the way he gained his freedom, adding that he was chatting with prison inmates when he was asked to go by a prison official.
He pointed out that his release came as a result of pressure on the state government, saying that the Presidency might have ordered that he should be freed.
Asowata, who expressed surprise at the charge against him, maintained that his organisation had its facts on the story about the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Reacting to the claim that Asowata was denied access to his property after regaining his freedom, Eyo explained that the Prisons did not seize any of the journalist‘s belongings.
Eyo, who is a record officer at the Uyo Prisons, stated that Asowata‘s mobile phone and the sum of N4,500 were taken from him and recorded.
According to him, Asowata came back from the court without the necessary document to show that he had actually been freed.
"We were surprised that after he left the prison for the court, he did not come back with a warrant of release and also the police that took him there did not come back with him."
Author: DO
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