By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Nobody ever lies, everyone tells the truth; it is only unfortunate that if it is not your own version of the truth or theirs, it is a lie.
I cannot say I have come a long way in journalism, but, I have seen a lot that intimidations in whatever form are like a morning prayer.
In all my life, I have never seen overzealousness as I saw yesterday at the Government House in Calabar when an issue that concerns an individual was escalated to concern organizations.
A photograph of the Cross River State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Joe Abang was uploaded by Mr. Agba Jalingo and three colleagues in Government House Calabar and myself were whisked away by men of the State’s Anti Robbery Squad like criminals for allegedly taking this photograph and sending it to Mr. Jalingo.
I have no issue with the police inviting people for clarifications. But, I do not understand how an issue that happened in Government House Calabar which has over 200 security personnel attached to it will attract policemen from the state’s command!
There was no preliminary interviews by security personnel at Government House of which one kept pointing at me and saying: “This man is culpable.” Culpable of what?
That you failed to call the person who had this image to query how he got it?
That you did not find the image in the Cameras you seized?
That you did not even bother to inform me of what I was been arrested for?
Or, that the image in question was altered and does not reflect the reality?
I am culpable of being an ardent believer of the fact that the years of oppression by the political elites in the state have faded.
I am culpable of being utterly disappointed (as I told the Police) that a petty issue (yes it is) of an image attracts about 8 fully armed Policemen who should have been occupied with protecting the citizenry and prosecuting suspected criminals who are bent on turning Cross River State into a banana republic.
I am culpable of telling the narrative that will shape public opinion in a bid to ensure Cross River State and indeed Nigeria enjoys the true dividends of democracy.
I must commend my colleagues in CrossRiverWatch especially my Publisher, Mr. Agba Jalingo, the Government House Press Corps, Governor Ben Ayade and many others who swung into action immediately to facilitate my release and the release of the three others whose names I will not mention to prevent any form of intimidation on them.
Indeed, the old things are passing away and psychophancy as well as oppression are no longer fashionable…
This is just a pinch of my truth against theirs.
Thank you.
Jonathan Ugbal is the News Editor, CrossRiverWatch.
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