My attention has been drawn to the SSS arrest of Jonathan Elendu, the publisher of the online media outfit Elendureports.com. I am also aware the SSS is conducting an investigation into the affair of both pointblanknews.com and saharareporters.com - two online publications being managed by Nigerians in the Diaspora.

According to reports, the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) picked up Jonathan Elendu at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from the United States of America. He was immediately driven to the headquarters of the SSS in Aso Drive within the precinct of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Another reports also have it that shortly after the return of "President" Yar'Adua from his 17 day-medical trip abroad, he ordered the investigation of these prominent Internet based magazines "over series of exclusive reports written by the two partnering media houses about his hidden health situation".

There is nothing new in arresting, detaining, maltreating, unjust persecution, even killing of journalists - in Nigeria or other places where governments are uncomfortable with the media. Nigerian journalists have had their own share of government brutality. Such trait of extreme cruelty thrusts itself into attention during the reign of Buhari/Idiagbon when Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabo were jailed under the repressive Decree 2. 

The Nigerian government continued its ferociousness under Babangida when a letter bomb from the president killed Dele Giwa in his apartment. Though Sani Abacha carried such brutal barbarous savagery act to the maximum, there was little different in the motive which was to instil fears into the media practitioners. It was done to gag the press. Under Abacha, it was not only the press that suffered but any organisation that opposed the maximum ruler. Alex Ibru, the Guardian publisher, nearly lost his life. Newspapers and magazines were proscribed and editors jailed for treason under what seemed a kangaroo Court. Such guerrilla war against the press was so rampant that most major media houses had to device new tactics by operating underground. The birth of “guerrilla” journalism had begun in earnest.

Even under Obasanjo, a man who is fond of preaching the gospel of tolerance more than Jesus Christ, things did not get better. It is an open secret that the man hates journalists. It was even reported that he once flogged a journalist at "our" Ota Farm. Also, it should be recalled that he once compared a dog to a journalist. The mention of the word journalist always cause headache for Baba Iyabo. Little wonder that he refused to sign the FOI (Freedom of Information) bill before being pressurized to leave Aso Rock. 

Yar’Adua coined a loving phrase as a servant leader and promised the nation to desist from his predecessor's rashness and hatred for the press. He would follow the rule of law unlike his predecessor. He would respect the opinions of his fellow citizens and human rights according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Even he once attributed his slow pace due to his determination to respect the rule of law. So what should we call this latest arrest by his super power agents alias SSS? If the guy committed an offence, there are appropriate channels to take care of it.

Of course, every government has the right to investigate, probe, detain its citizens that violate the rule of law, most especially anything that could jeopardise the security of the nation. And governments always hide under this in order to clamp down on any citizen or organisation perceived as enemy. Nigerian governments have always hide under the national security to punish the fourth estate of the realm even though the perpetual conduct of the former is a big threat to our national security. Have you thought of the irony? Or is rigging elections and looting the public treasury not amount to treason?

It is true that online publications reporting on Nigeria have carried the art of investigative news reporting to another level. Accuse them of recklessness if you like. While doing that you must as well ask yourself a pertinent question: are the stories being reported accurate and fact-based? As for me, this is the crux of the matter. How many of those "reckless" reports have turned to be false? I really do not see any reason why Yar’Adua and his network of agents should continue to fret over these small details.

Just of recent, the same SSS detained and harassed Channels TV staff for wrongly reporting that Mr. President might resign on health ground. The decision was later reversed. Poor Jonathan Elendu! What could he have done to warrant the questioning from the Almighty SSS? Well, such indiscriminate arrest can only make the guy more popular. The SSS has succeeded in making the guy a celebrity, for I have been a frequent visitor to Elendureports.com since the arrest.

While I understand that certain government will always embark on investigating news channels like Pointblanknews.com and Saharareporters.com, I detest the hunt for the publishers. It's okay to investigate them in order to ascertain they are serious journalists and not blackmailers disguising as publishers. But to spread a dragnet to arrest them if and when they are sighted in Nigeria even before the conclusion of the on-going investigation is a reminder of that period when subsequent junta tried to repress the freedom of thought and expression. Historically, tyrannical suppression of liberty by a civilian or military government has always been defeated by the superior power of the human spirit.

Therefore, I am always taken aback whenever I encounter a situation whereby a government tries to cow the journalist's mind. When are they going to learn the truth that the power of a dictatorial state is impotent compared to the power of the human spirit! By the way, what are these websites being investigated for? Is it to know their sources? It is interesting that the government spokespersons have not being able to refute most of the stories published so far. Perhaps the Almighty SSS or the power above should have waited a little longer. Otherwise there are many Nigerians in the Diaspora including yours truly to be picked up, arrested and detained, for we are not satisfied with the situation in our land. No amount of secret oath will hinder the flow of information, for the public has the right to know.

Chairman of the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crime Commission), Mrs. Farida Waziri, has just released a bombshell implying that the nation may not have case against former governors and presidents after all. I mean what was she talking about when she said that she did not inherit 31 case file on ex-governors from her predecessor? We are angry, especially we are sad simply because every Nigerian government has engaged in loud and empty and confused talk. Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), War Against Indiscipline (WAI), SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme), Vision 2000, 2010 and now 2020. Where has it led us? Hum, who is fooling who?

The "recklessness" reporting being associated with Pointblanknews.com; Saharareporters.com and others is a response to the recklessness in governance by the Nigerian politicians. If telling Nigerians the truth about their president's health is a threat to the nation, what about the president who failed to disclose the truth about his health? What about the president who vamoosed for more than two weeks without bothering to address Nigerians about the whole matter, and in the process caused speculations? 

Whilst I do not rule out government supposition that the opposition might be feeding these online publications with "damaging" stories, I doubt if they are being financed by the opposition. Such financial involvement by the opposition will not only jeopardise the integrity of these online publications, but will have defeated the initial struggle of fighting bad governance. 

Personally, I contribute to these websites with the hope that they are not being financed by politicians, or any other organisations detrimental to peoples' progress. However, if Jonathan Elendu is involved in money laundering for a South-South governor and in blackmailing a senator with an alleged demand for N20 million to keep some secrets from being published, as reported by Dipo Kehinde of the Compass - then he must face the music. If the arrest is due to his being critical of the government, then the SSS should be ready to arrest yours truly as well.

2008 copyright mysmallvoice@yahoo.com

Robot  # 1 | 23.10.2008 10:16

My attention has been drawn to the SSS arrest of Jonathan Elendu, the publisher of the online media outfit Elendureports.com. I am also aware the SSSis conductingan investigationinto the affair of bothpointblanknews.com and saharareporters.com - two online publications being managed by Nigerians in the Diaspora. According to reports, the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS)picked upJonathan Elendu at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from the United States of America. He was immediately driven to the headquarters of the SSS in Aso Drive within the precinct of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Another reports also have it that shortly after the return of "President" Yar'Adua from his 17 day-medica...Read the full article.

Gbolly  # 2 | 23.10.2008 12:08

Thanks for an excellent piece.

Igboamaeze  # 3 | 23.10.2008 14:59

This is what I call a logical write-up. You may not agree with his views but u must admit that he is logical. By the way, his views coheres with mine on this issue.

Ewuro  # 4 | 23.10.2008 15:28

=Igboamaeze;282244>This is what I call a logical write-up. You may not agree with his views but u must admit that he is logical. By the way, his views coheres with mine on this issue. Mazi, So much 'the rule of law' that you so actively supported with respect to EFCC Farida Waziri.

Igboamaeze  # 5 | 23.10.2008 15:42

=Ewuro;282254>Mazi, So much 'the rule of law' that you so actively supported with respect to EFCC Farida Waziri. Otunba, may be u read me upside down. I have NEVER supported FW. All I've been saying is that she is as bad or as good as NR. Nothing more. Nothing less. But seriously, I have always supported rule of law. It was Channels yesterday. Elendu today. It may be Igboamaeze or Ewuro or even one of those chaps in dark glasses tomorrow. Just look at our very recent past: who would've ever thought that El Rufai who treated the courts with disdain will run to the courts today for protection? Meet me at http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/index.php/content/view/10551/55

Dewdrops  # 6 | 23.10.2008 19:10

=Robot;282137>My attention has been drawn to the SSS arrest of Jonathan Elendu, the publisher of the online media outfit Elendureports.com. I am also aware the SSSis conductingan investigationinto the affair of bothpointblanknews.com and saharareporters.com - two online publications being managed by Nigerians in the Diaspora. According to reports, the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS)picked upJonathan Elendu at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from the United States of America. He was immediately driven to the headquarters of the SSS in Aso Drive within the precinct of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Another reports also have it that shortly after the return of "President" Yar'Adua from his 17 day-medica...Read the full article. While I understand that certain government will always embark on investigating news channels like Pointblanknews.com and Saharareporters.com, I detest the hunt for the publishers. It's okay to investigate them in order to ascertain they are serious journalists and not blackmailers disguising as publishers. But to spread a dragnet to arrest them if and when they are sighted in Nigeria even before the conclusion of the on-going investigation is a reminder of that period when subsequent junta tried to repress the freedom of thought and expression. Historically, tyrannical suppression of liberty by a civilian or military government has always been defeated by the superior power of the human spirit. Let us just hope he does not mysteriously come down with HIV or one kind of disease like Abiola after being detained. Nigeria na wah! All the money launderers in Nigeria exposed not to long ago in the US for the big guns, (so-called businessmen and women in Nigeria) who picked those ones up? If Nigeria picks up all the money launderers (Bank-oles) in Nigeria and beyond......Nigeria will definitely become the size of Kuwait or even smaller. The saga continues.

Dewdrops  # 7 | 23.10.2008 19:11

=Robot;282137>My attention has been drawn to the SSS arrest of Jonathan Elendu, the publisher of the online media outfit Elendureports.com. I am also aware the SSSis conductingan investigationinto the affair of bothpointblanknews.com and saharareporters.com - two online publications being managed by Nigerians in the Diaspora. According to reports, the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS)picked upJonathan Elendu at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after arriving from the United States of America. He was immediately driven to the headquarters of the SSS in Aso Drive within the precinct of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Another reports also have it that shortly after the return of "President" Yar'Adua from his 17 day-medica...Read the full article. While I understand that certain government will always embark on investigating news channels like Pointblanknews.com and Saharareporters.com, I detest the hunt for the publishers. It's okay to investigate them in order to ascertain they are serious journalists and not blackmailers disguising as publishers. But to spread a dragnet to arrest them if and when they are sighted in Nigeria even before the conclusion of the on-going investigation is a reminder of that period when subsequent junta tried to repress the freedom of thought and expression. Historically, tyrannical suppression of liberty by a civilian or military government has always been defeated by the superior power of the human spirit. Anything is po-xx-ible in a Nigerian version of "democracy". Let us just hope he does not mysteriously come down with HIV or one kind of disease like Abiola after being detained. Nigeria na wah! All the money launderers in Nigeria exposed not to long ago in the US for the big guns, (so-called businessmen and women in Nigeria) who picked those ones up? Case in point......Andy Uba and one of his mistresses in America are still free birds today......thanks to OBJ! If Nigeria picks up all the money launderers (Bank-oles) in Nigeria and beyond......Nigeria will definitely become the size of Kuwait or even smaller. The saga continues.

Nkire  # 8 | 23.10.2008 23:47

People: They came for the Jews; I wasn’t a Jew so I said nothing They came for the Gypsies; I was not a Gypsy so I said nothing They came for the communists; I was not a communist so I said nothing They came for the non-natives; I was a native so I said nothing Then, they came for me but unfortunately everyone else was either dead or too scared to speak up for my freedom. Prejudice and inability to imbibe certain principles due to narrow interests are among the myriad of reasons why democracy and the rule of law will never flourish in Nigeria. It is the same reason why people who suffered under military regimes in the most humiliating of conditions are the ones who are worse abusers of human rights once they find themselves in the corridors of power. Here is the point: political maturity under democracy requires that you stand up for the rule of law and fairness even for individuals or groups you hate to the core. The same mechanism by which their rights are denied will be used against you or someone dear to you sooner, rather later. Such is the revolving door of injustice in Nigeria, is it not? Cheers, Nkire

Gbenga Ezekiel  # 9 | 24.10.2008 04:51

Sound the drums Nkire ...... Sound it loud for us to get used to the beat for it is sure to beat sometime in the future.. and I reckon very soon. The only problem is that the average Nigerian spends 99.9% of his time battling for breath & daily existence and hardly has any strength (some may add character, in the face of constant dehumanisation...remember "ROOTS") left to stand up to any ideal. More so when he sees & believes that his standing up will not make an iota of difference. This to me is where our work begins, to build the dream; the knowledge; the courage; the confidence; the strength and the resilience. Standing up together, purposeful and determined to change the world...knowing we might not get there in this lifetime but pleased that the journey has at least started and hope that those behind would hold on. This is the "Audacity of Hope". We are all living witnesses to what can happen within a century.

BOE  # 10 | 24.10.2008 07:59

Your incredible story Shut Down all Media Houses is a reason for the SSS to arrest you on arrival and I will end up doing this same thing. Isn't that the only issue? Publish trash or not, we must defend our right to publish. Nigerian VIPs (Fela's version) enjoy the simple pleasures of abroad but go back home to behave like cavemen. The government wants to stop all the gossip and rumors? They must open the closet and stop the distorted Chinese whisper form of information! “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Jonathan Elendu, or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction, if he is suspected to have contravened any laws of the land’.

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