National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) has condemned alleged unlawful detention of Publisher of Royal Times Magazine, Ranti Alabla Thomas, by officers of Lagos Command Police Command.

Now released, the media man was reportedly kept in detention for four days incommunicado from June 3 after allegedly being whisked away at gunpoint by cops.

The association, in a statement jointly signed by chairmen of Lagos and Ikeja chapters, Peter Fowoyo and Wahab Akinlade, insisted that the confinement was illegal and unconstitutional, in violation of his rights to freedom of expression guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It stated that journalists had a constitutional obligation to report issues of interest to the public without hindrance or molestation.

While charging security and government officials on respect for democratic principles, NAJUC pleaded with the
Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to investigate the incident.