Broadcaster arrested for ‘insulting’ Lai Mohammed regains freedom — after 45 days

Rotimi Jolayemi, a journalist who was arrested for allegedly criticising Lai Mohammed, minister of information, has been freed by the police, after 45 days in detention.

According to PUNCH, Dorcas, Jolayemi’s wife confirmed that he was released on Friday, but asked to return on Monday to sign some papers.

Jolayemi, known as “Oba Akewi,” had recorded an eight-minute audio critical of the minister and released it via WhatsApp.

The minister allegedly ordered his arrest and he had been in detention since May.

On June 12, a federal high court in Abuja had also ordered Jolayemi be remanded.

Jolayemi, however, pleaded not guilty after he was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on the alleged distribution of an audio file said to have caused annoyance, ill will, hatred, and insults towards the minister.

Jolayemi, who is the vice-chairman, Freelance and Independent Radio Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Osun state chapter, anchors “Bi aye se ri,” a show on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara.

Earlier, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) had condemned the detention of Jolayemi, and had demanded his immediate release.