* The story of his arrest and how he is faring at the SSS custody
That Tuesday was like every other one but Thomas Thomas did not know of what was lying in wait for him. He is said to have been in Calabar and was just returning to Uyo. He brother Effiong Thomas who is in his early twenties had gotten a text message from an MTN mobile telephone number asking him to come to MTN office at Ikot Ekpene road to claim a prize he has won. Details of the prize was not immediately ascertained but a friend to Effiong informed our reporter that Effiong was told to come and claim a NOKIA LUMIA PHONE and an MTN recharge card of #750 he was told to claim the prize at a certain time in the afternoon.
Upon getting to MTN office at Ikot Ekpene road, Effiboy as he is fondly called by his siblings and peers was waylaid and captured by security operatives in a commando like fashion. The younger Thomas was immediately handcuffed, his face masked and was driven to the Police Station at Ikot Akpanabia. During this process, Effiboy’s phone was ceased and Thomas Thomas number was dialled into the Phone where Thomas name reflected on the phone. The security operatives are said to have asked Effiong Thomas what he knows about Thomas Thomas, the frightened young man is said to have acknowledged that the Global Concord man is his Elder brother. From there Thomas was trailed to Nepa line by Aka road where he was forcefully arrested and taken to the SSS for detention. Upon the arrest of Thomas Thomas, Effiong Thomas was quickly left off the hook.
After initial denials by operatives of the SSS and upon repeated pressures from members of the Press, and other interested parties, the SSS owned up and then charged Thomas to court. The charge which was however done nicodemusly was arrainged at the Magistrate court along Fulga street at about quarter past four. A time were the court had closed proceedings for the day, last week Thursday. Thomas was escorted to the court by men of the SSS. The magistrate sources say was invited to come back for that purposes alone. When the female magistrate arrived she is said to have read the three count charge to Thomas Thomas and then adjourned the case till further notice. No date was fixed for the next court appearances. Thomas was thereafter returned to the SSS detention.
HIS ORDEAL IN THE SSS
Although there are apprehensions as to the safety of Thomas Thomas. THE INK gathered that the Security operatives after beating blood into one side of the Editor had asked their Doctor to begin the process of treating the Global Concord man which the medical personnel had since obliged.
Thomas Thomas has been questioned as to the validity of the story Global Concord once published. The story had alleged that there were plots by those in Government and Governor Akpabio to kill paramount rulers of Ibiono Ibom and Etinan Local Government Areas. This story it was learnt had created a lot of cranks and anger in the Akwa Ibom traditional rulers council leading to a situation where the monarchs are said to have met extensively for about eight hours. And thereafter unconfirmed reports say an ayei was presented to the paramount ruler of Essien Udim for onward transfer to Governor Godswill Akpabio on the lives of the two Ibibio paramount rulers and others. This development sources say did not go down well with Akpabio who is said to have directed that a full flesh investigation be carried out on the matter. That was not all a mandate was given that Global Concord be denied by NUJ and Thomas Thomas or any closest pal to the Global Concord Editor be picked using any available tricks. It was not clear who directed the disclaiming of Global Concord by NUJ but as events unfold, the picture will be clearer. Some sources within NUJ has accused the commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah while others still in NUJ are of the Opinion that the Patrick Albert led NUJ had sold out to Government. All these are subjects of discussions for another day.
Back to Thomas Thomas in SSS detention. The Global Concord Editor had been subjected to operation No freedom. He was asked the authenticity of the alleged killing report and he is said to have showed to the SSS a recorded voice of how he got the information to make the news. On feeding Thomas is said to have informed that he eats at the mercies of the SSS canteen and sometimes eats fast food served him by the security operatives. He was said to be hale and hearty as at last week Friday when he was being visited.
THE NUJ COMPLICATIONS
The arrest of Thomas came a day before the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists published a two paged advertorial disclaiming Global Concord and arguing that her members are not members of the Union either directly or through membership of Chapels. The release did not stop at that, it took out two paragraphs to say unpalatable words to the news medium Global Concord Newspaper. This position that was taken by the state council of the NUJ was enough to sparked outrage in the media community raising doubts about the sincereity of the State council Executives. Although the NUJ and her sympathizers will want the public to believe that it was a coincidence, that argument has not been bought hook line and sinker and it is very obvious the mood amongst sincere and honest journalists in the state is tensed. For instance practitioner of the Local media feel slighted, they feel slapped and they feel betrayed. This is because there are so many loopholes in the position of NUJ about Global Concord and the arguments in her two page advertorial are not logical enough. To describe members of Global Concord as not doing the biddings of Journalism is not fair to Concord and her staff. I have been reliably informed that one of the Editors of Global Concord, Mr. Unyime Ekwere had voted during the last NUJ election that brought Patrick Albert and his Exco on board. If Global Concord is not a recognized body in NUJ, why did the Newspaper outfit benefitted from the Laptop largesses that came from Exxon Mobil sometime ago. It is believed that the NUJ sold out and how the Chairman will come out of this without soiling his image is a puzzle that many wait to solve. But the Chairman of the Union Elder Patrick Albert in an interaction says the Union did not sell out
THE INK EDITOR, NSIBIET JOHN AS THE NEXT TARGET
It has been rumoured sporadically and spoken in low tones that another Editor lined up for attack is the Editor of THE INK Newspaper. Our reporter gathered through different sources that a Commissioner is alleged to have petitioned the SSS. Our source who is well placed in matters of security had however advised that the Editor should watch his back and show extreme carefulness in his movements and activities. While interacting with members of THE INK Newspaper shortly before this paper went to bed last night, Nsibiet John had confirmed that he is aware of the rumour but that he is yet to confirm if actually he is the next target. Nsibiet John maintained that he has no security questions to answer and cannot be intimidated by whatever people no matter how highly placed will attempt to have against him. He said if I have been petitioned, I think the SSS would have invited me but since I have not gotten any invite from the SSS, let us allow the information to remain at the level of rumour that it is for now.
In addition, Nsibiet John however showed to his reporters a text that was sent to him from the mobile phone number, +2348134517444, the text message reads “Dear Customer, you are among 50 lucky winners in MTN ‘REWARD CUSTOMER’ promo. U have won a NOKIA LUMIA smart phone & MTN 750 airtime. Redeem ur prize by 02:30pm today from promo supervisor at MTN office No 41 Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo. Congratulations!!!
A text which the Editor said he ignored. He added that the same upon his interaction with the number the receiver informed that his name is Mr Dominic and had asked to know if the Editor had registered his sim card. When the Editor, Nsibiet John responded in the affirmative, the call receiver then retorted that the Editor should claim the prize at MTN office Ikot Ekpene road by 2:30pm. The Editor informed that the same number then forwarded a 750 MTN recharge card to his phone. The card from +2348134517444 read thus, From MTN NIG. 982550593260Recharge and acknowledge, pls. Congratulations
THE WAY FORWARD
Although the arrest of Thomas had since been planned and executed, his charge to court perfected, it is the belief of the media practitioners that the Global Concord man should be given a fair hearing and all fences mend. Pundits believed that the news story that was published by Global Concord on the attempts to assassinate two paramount rulers of Ibibio was not the creation of the news medium but an information gotten from a source of the news story. The matter since it has already been charged to court need to be handle with care so that THOMAS THOMAS can be freed. The argument here is not that Thomas or anyother person in the critical media is above the law, far from it. But in hounding Thomas, let it not be forgotten that that there is a law that allows his freedom, he is not a security threat, neither is he mobilizing to overthrow the Government.
THE AKWA IBOM MEDIA HAS SO MANY CAUSES FOR ALARM AND IT IS URGENT THE GOVERNMENT, NUJ AND OTHERS JOIN HANDS TOWARDS AND AMICABLE RESOLUTION OF THIS IMBROIGLO.
#WE NEED THOMAS THOMAS BACK, WE SAY NO TO OPPRESSION# THIS HAS BEEN THE MESSAGE EVER SINCE THOMAS WAS PICKED
The arrest and continous detention of Thomas Thomas of Global Concord Newspaper has continued to attract worldwide condemnation. And to this end Akwa Ibomites in the United States say they want to be actively involved in the process of freeing Thomas Thomas. A source told our reporter that the decision to arrest Thomas has not really gone down well with them and they have called on the state Government to fast forward the process of returning the Global Concord Editor. THE INK learnt that not less than four Senior Advocates are waiting for the case to begin in court so that they can file appearances for Thomas Thomas.
But a government House source who spoke to THE INK last Sunday in Uyo said the interrogation of the Global Concord Editor is not to kill him, dampen his journalism spirit but to prove the authenticity of the alleged murder story he published.
Meanwhile, following interventions from many quarters and the pressure mounted on the Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio, the state Chief Executive may instruct the unconditional bail of Mr. Thomas Thomas.
OUR TAKE ON THOMAS THOMAS, SSS AND HE GOV. AKPABIO
On Tuesday, 1st July 2014, myself, Mr Solomon Johnny, Unyime Ekwere and Thomas Thomas were billed for an Editors meeting with some key contributors to Global Concord Newspaper. I had arrived venue of the meeting earlier awaiting Mr. Unyime Ekwere and Thomas Thomas. I was taking some refreshment having traveled from PortHarcourt for the meeting. Thomas himself was coming in from Calabar and when he delayed arriving, I had thought that the wonky state of Calabar-Itu road was delaying him without knowing that he had entered town some thirty minutes before me but had been picked up by SSS.
News of his arrest was opaqued.
The person who detailed me did not tell me in clear terms that Mr Thomas was arrested by the Police or SSS because he too was not sure. Such clarity would have calmed our frayed nerves. The SSS did not help matters too as they denied arresting him when lawyers made inquiries about Thomas.
As Editors of Global Concord Newspaper, we have never been afraid of arrest. Like any newspaper outfit, we have known that occasionally we may be invited by security agencies to explain ourselves in the light of information we have at our disposal. In this regard, we have had some reservations however because of the wide spread fear of dangerous compromise on the part of our security agencies with the Akpabio government. As we have been clearly and wrongly marked by government as enemies, we have always entertained fears that they (Police or SSS) can be used to harm us under any cover. But somehow, this feeling is fading away and we have always been prepared for such a time like the Tuesday disaster which temporarily swept off Thomas Thomas. So in sum, we are not worried about SSS or the Police, we have been worried of the men who assassinated, Madam Udonwa, Chief Paul Inyang, HRM, Edidem Robert Obot, the Ekpeyong brothers...the list is endless and it makes our security concerns genuine! The Police and SSS can be civil but these men sometimes referred to as “Government boys and foot soldiers” are heartless as their sponsors. They have no respect for human life and that is why they shot and killed two women at Qua Iboe Church at Iwok and whisked General Edet Akpan away on a Sunday without fearing God. That is the extent of moral decadence in Akwa Ibom State since 2007.
We have tried to protect ourselves God being our strength because Psalm 121:1 clearly states that “Except the Lord builds the House, they labor in vain that build it, except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”. As a Clergy, I hold this sacrosanct and thank great men and women of God who have spent good time in the alters praying to keep us safe.
Apart from my (our) religious convictions, I also believe in the philosophy of Mr. Joe Effiong, my respectable, immediate past Chairman of NUJ that “what is going to be, is going to be”. So as Editors of Global Concord, we hold very strongly that if we were not meant to die in the struggle for a free, just and egalitarian society of which we believe is right, no gang up can bring the reverse. That is where our audacity comes from.
Back to Thomas Thomas. So far, we hold no sentiment against the SSS apart from the few skirmishes which we can understand is the trademark of our security agencies and desperate government such as ours. There is absolutely no reason to throw tantrums at the SSS. They are doing their work and hoping that they will do it in line with the dictates of the Law and not Governor Akpabio or any other man who molests Akwa Ibomites with tinted Prado Jeep and Mobile Police guard!
Thomas Thomas will be back because others that were arrested before him in same manner by Gov Akpabio came back. Our lawyers have seen the charges and have punctured same as being neither here nor there. Thomas did not fabricate any tape and has proof of his stories. He is too descent for such a thing. He has integrity and stands morally high. If this wasn’t the case, he would have been a very rich media practitioner in this axis. This is also true of other editors of Global Concord Who jump in and out of Keke NAPEP because they want to be known as men of integrity.
We are not gun runners. We are not kidnappers. We are Journalists who hate corruption and want it checked. We are people who clamour for due process and respect for the constitution because our profession puts us up as watch dog of the society. We try to do what a watchdog that is worthy of the name will do and no apology for those who think we should have been toothless bull dogs to avoid trouble. If we have committed any error in the cause of our operation, it is civil and very common to our profession against what some government apologists may want the public to think. We have not offended public conscience otherwise, we could not have maintained our lead in Akwa Ibom State as the most widely read tabloid.
Before I quit, let me commend the Press in Akwa Ibom State first, national and international media organizations for being so supportive. I never expected you can be this good to us at this our trying moment. I promise that you will not be disappointed because our conscience is clear in this matter and I trust that the court will be objective in their handling of this matter.
Let me thank Lawyers, some that we have stepped on their toes in the past but have volunteered to help. I least expected that we can have the lot of you speak for our freedom. While “our union”, NUJ tactically conspired with government and deserted us, you undertook to fight our battle free of charge! I now understand better why your stocks are called Learned Men. There is no grudge, biasity or sentiment in your dictionaries. We are grateful.
We are forward looking that very soon Thomas will be vindicated to resume his duty post. We shall never forget every man and woman who will stand up to secure his freedom now.
Solomon Johnny, Editor-in-Chief, Global Concord Newspaper, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. 08021075555, Donpipper@yahoo.com.
Mass onslaught against the Media in Akwa Ibom State by Akwa Ibom State Government: The Arrest of Mr. Thomas Thomas, Editor, Global Concord Newspaper.
We confirm the arrest of Mr. Thomas Thomas, Publisher and Editor of Global Concord, Monday edition by men suspected to be government security agents. Thomas was trailed and arrested on Tuesday, 2nd July 2014 at about 3pm around Nepa Line by Aka Road. Thomas Thomas was located through his brother who was called from MTN Office to come and claim a price. There, the brother was arrested and manhandled to get Thomas’ whereabouts. The brother was taken to Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia before the men who had identified themselves through ID Cards as SSS started to trail and arrest Thomas.
Thomas was not aware of the identity of the men who trailed him and therefore made effort to abscond from the tricycle he boarded but was overtaken, arrested and handcuffed with the men brandishing their ID card to proof their identity as government security forces when passersby accosted them.
Since yesterday, we have lost contact with Mr. Thomas as it seems he has been barred from picking his calls. Not until this morning that his brother painted the picture, we have thought that he has been abducted by kidnappers or hire assassins.
Our preliminary investigations have revealed that Akwa Ibom State Government is behind the arrest. We are yet to know what their complains are except to think that government is acting on past prejudices that they hold against Global Concord following its hard stand against some government policies and insecurity that has ravaged the state in the past though resurging again as another election year gets nearer. In the wake of the arrest, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has issued a statement against reportage of alleged assassination plot on Edidem Ime Dickson Umoete, Paramount Ruler of Etinan and President of Uyio Ikpaisong Essien Ibibio which Global Concord and other state based Newspapers in Akwa Ibom reported. We don’t know yet whether the arrest is connected to this reportage.
Again, Akwa Ibom State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists has issued a statement singling out Global Concord Newspaper as being unregistered with them. We respect NUJ and are not bothered by their innuendoes and misgivings which we shall address fully subsequently. In the meantime, we have confirmed that some big shots in Akwa Ibom State who are eyeing Akwa Ibom State Governorship seat in 2015 and have contributed in huge financial terms to the emergence of the current executive of the body are not comfortable that Global Concord, the most widely read Newspaper in Akwa Ibom State is not advancing their ambition. There is therefore a campaign of calumny to puncture the overwhelming goodwill of the paper in Akwa Ibom State through the credibility question as raised by NUJ. So the statement by NUJ is like the biblical hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob.
Before NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Chapter starts quarreling with Media Houses over professionalism and the love of the society, it is important she inoculates herself against the virus and influence of “strong, money bag politicians” whose presence in the affairs of the NUJ is beginning to suffocate the very constituency it (NUJ) was suppose to protect.
Finally, we call on the Police and the SSS to ensure that Thomas Thomas is save. His medical records in our custody, like every other Editors within our employ declares him very fit and we would want him, or any of our Editors that may be arrested in this unwarranted onslaught to remain so after his (or their) release from the custody. We call on security agencies to ensure that every action taken in this matter is within the ambit of the law because where we feel the law is breached, as the watch dog of the society, we shall not fail to seek redress in court. In sum, we call on members of the public to be on the watch as we smell something sinister in all of these. No effort should be spared to ensure that we have a free and safe society for all.
Solomon Johnny, Editor-in-Chief, Weekend Global Concord Newspaper, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
No comments:
Post a Comment