Controversy continued to trail the whereabouts of the popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat over his arrest and release from detention.
Yusuff Adebayo, Director of Corporate Affairs at Sure Etiquette Media Plus Ltd (Operators of Agidigbo Radio) has said that the Ibadan-based radio presenter, Oriyomi Hamzat, is still in detention.
In a statement made available to insideoyo.com over the week, Adebayo debunked news story of Oriyomi release.
Premium Times had earlier reported that Hamzat was released from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), where he was detained for weeks.
The online paper also quoted the wife of the broadcaster, Motunrayo Hamzat, to have confirmed the release of her husband but PREMIUM TIMES noted that Hamzat had gone in to hiding after his release.
But Adebayo disowned the alleged wife claims.
Oriyomi Hamzat, who owns Agidigbo radio station in Ibadan, was detained at the SSS office in Ibadan on August 1. He was later transferred to the Abuja office of the agency.
Individuals and groups, like the Association of Nigerian Comrades (ANC), have clamoured for the release of the broadcaster whose arrest was seen as unlawful and an infringement on press freedom.
The statement in full details:
RE: DSS RELEASE ORIYOMI HAMZAT AFTER 15 DAYS IN DETENTION
It is with great astonishment and disbelief that we at Sure Etiquette Media Plus, operators of Agidigbo Radio, receive the fabricated news of Oriyomi Hamzat being released from the State Security Service after he was arrested on the 1st of August, 2018.
We realize that some unscrupulous elements have decided to seize the situation to misinform, mislead, misdirect and confuse friends, family, associates, fans of Oriyomi Hamzat, concerned Nigerians and the general public that he has been released and purportedly ‘went into hiding.’
This they have successfully done for sinister motive best known to them and their cohorts by granting press interviews with Premium Times online news platform and as such circulate same online.
We therefore deem it fit to debunk the fictitious news story and also put things in proper perspective by informing the friends, family, associates, fans of Oriyomi Hamzat, concerned Nigerians and the general public that:
i. Oriyomi Hamzat was arrested on the 1st of August, 2018 by the State Security Service (SSS) on the directive of Oyo State Government over what they described as ‘subversive statement’ in his recent broadcast program on Facebook.
ii. Oriyomi Hamzat was never married to one Motunrayo Hamzat who has been parading herself as the wife of Oriyomi Hamzat and as such been granting malicious press interviews based on interest best known to her and her allies.
iii. Oriyomi Hamzat is not associated with one Adekunle Raji who has been parading himself as the Lawyer of Oriyomi Hamzat and as such been granting malicious press interviews based on interest best known to him and his allies.
iv. As of today, 23rd of August, 2018, the whereabouts of Oriyomi Hamzat remains unknown to us, we therefore challenge Motunrayo and Raji who falsely claimed that he has been released to produce him or share relevant information to back up their claim as the general public will appreciate such.
v. We therefore enjoin the friends, family, associates, fans of Oriyomi Hamzat, concerned Nigerians and the general public to disregard the false and misleading news story as the whereabouts of Oriyomi Hamzat remains unknown.
vi. We also urge the general public to desist from associating themselves with the said Motunrayo and Raji who have been falsely parading themselves as the wife and lawyer of Oriyomi Hamzat respectively.
vii. Oriyomi Hamzat has employed none other than the legal services of Barrister Rasheed Isamot of Lateef Fagbemi Chambers as counsel and legal representative and not the said Raji.
viii. We implore news agencies and individuals alike to stop the peddling and circulation of the said incorrect news story as failure to do so can warrant necessary legal actions.
ix. We urge friends, family, associates, fans of Oriyomi Hamzat, concerned Nigerians and the general public to intensify their prayers and support for the release of Oriyomi Hamzat.
Signed
Yusuff Adebayo
Director of Corporate Affairs
Sure Etiquette Media Plus Ltd
(Operators of Agidigbo Radio)
