The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday arrested Dr Olayinka Sylvia Blyden, publisher of the Awareness Times Newspaper.
On orders from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Serry Kamal, the CID invited Dr Blyden to report yesterday to explain the background of a news article which contained two pictures of the President – one published upside down, the other with the President’s picture with two horns.
At exactly 10: 13 yesterday morning, Dr Blyden arrived at the CID headquarters with her lawyer, Dr Bu-Buakei Jabbie and were taken upstairs to the Director of CID. After about 45 minutes later, Sylvia and her lawyer came out and some people who had gone there in solidarity of support thought she was released.
Questioned by Awoko whether she had been released, she replied that her lawyer had asked that they should get some fresh air. She also said she told the investigators she had nothing to say.
Some group of people who had gone in solidarity with her, held placards some of which said “justice must prevail”, “stop intimidating journalists” and “ press freedom is a basic human right.”
Later, the Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Department in charge of Anti -Organised Crime Syndicate, Ibrahim Koroma explained that Sylvia Blyden “is now officially under arrest and will be charged under the 1965 Public Order Act”
Mr Koroma explained that the article that was published in the Awareness Times on Friday February 29 edition bearing the President’s picture with a horn, was ridiculing and a serious offence under the 1965 Public Order Act. He said that was why she was arrested and investigated to avoid public mischief as she will probably be charged to court today.
Under the Public Order Act, she will be denied bail at this stage and as the time of going to press it was not known whether she was granted bail or not.
By Ishmael Bayoh