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VENO NEWS: Seun Odúnlámì will soon be reunited with his family members.Ogun NUJ Assures
Date: 29-01-25

The Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is equally pained with continued incarceration of our friend and colleague, Seun Odunlami and others, over an 'offence' that is bailable and not criminal.

While we are careful to interfere in the court processes, we wish to express our deepest concern about his detention and also assure you all that we are working tirelessly with the National Secretariat under the leadership of our President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, to ensure his prompt release.

You will recall that the Ogun Council of NUJ, which he belongs to, have, since his detention, made several efforts at ensuring his release. We have addressed a widely covered and well used press conference even demanding that our members banking with GTB should withdraw their relationship with them, we have gone, through the assistance and sphere of influence of Mr. Foluso Adelaja of The Post, contacted Chief Kunle Kalejaiye SAN, who appeared in court with other two SAN for Seun and other three without a penny. These efforts go to underscore the fact that, at no given time, we ever abandoned our friends and colleagues.

Interestingly, our President, who at that time was campaigning to be President, picked interest in their case and have since then taken it upon himself to ensure their release. Just about two weeks ago, the National President met with the leadership of GTbank and a positive result, which enlivened the spirits of our colleagues, was achieved.

You will all recall that Seun, the publisher of Newsjaunts, was arrested on September 25, 2024 along with three other journalists, for publishing a report alleging GTBank CEO Segun Agbaje's involvement in a N1 trillion fraud! They were charged under the Cybercrimes Act, a move we and other other colleagues and activists widely criticized and called for immediate abrogation of the obnoxious law/act.

We understand the anxiety and frustration this situation has caused among our colleagues, and we share in your concerns, believing strongly in the submission of a scholar who said "Comrades, do not rejoice if they come for me in the morning, it may be your time in the evening". Therefore, we are all in it together but lots of efforts we cannot disclose on this platform.

Please, know today that the NUJ, under the leadership of Comrade Alhassan Yahya, President of NUJ, is committed to advocating for Seun's release and ensuring that his rights are protected throughout this ordeal.

We appreciate the outpouring of support from our colleagues, activists, and the general public. We urge everyone to continue advocating for Seun's freedom and the protection of press freedom in Nigeria.

The Ogun Council of the NUJ, under the humble leadership of Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju, will continue to monitor developments in Seun's case and provide updates as necessary. We remain hopeful that he will soon be reunited with his family and colleagues.

Thank you for your continued support and solidarity.

Solidarity...Forever!!!

Bunmi Adigun,
Secretary,
Nigeria Union of Journalists Ogun State Council.

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