Just In: Premium Times Journalist, Samuel Ogundipe Released On Bail

Samuel Ogundipe Regains Freedom

Detained PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe, who has been in Police custody since Tuesday has finally been released.

Mr Ogundipe was released earlier today after he was granted bail by Magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Kubwa, Abuja, Naija News gathered.

The judge had first heard the case on Wednesday after Mr Ogundipe was secretly arraigned without being allowed legal representation. On that day, Mr Mohammed granted a request by the police that the journalist be detained for five more days.

However on Friday morning, PREMIUM TIMES learnt Mr Ogundipe was to be taken to the same court. The company’s lawyer was thus present at the court.

At the court, the lawyer argued for the bail of Mr Ogundipe, a request that was not opposed by the police counsel.

Mr Mohammed granted the bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety who must be resident withing the court’s jurisdiction.

The bail conditions were met and Mr Ogundipe was released.

Earlier on Thursday, PREMIUM TIMES had responded to a statement by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, accusing Mr Ogundipe of being in possession of classified document.

The police alleged that Mr Ogundipe’s action was capable of causing a breach of national security and a breakdown of law and order.

In its response, PREMIUM TIMES through its lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said Mr Moshood’s statement was “misleading and prejudicial.”