DSS finally releases journalist detained for ‘defaming’ A’Ibom commissioner

Kufre Carter, a journalist with XL 106.9 FM Uyo in Akwa Ibom state who was arrested for allegedly defaming Dominic Ukpong, the state commissioner of health, has regained freedom.

Inibehe Effiong, counsel to the journalist, who confirmed his release to TheCable, said his client was freed on Wednesday.

TheCable had launched a campaign for the release of Carter who was arrested last month.

Despite a court order granting him bail, the journalist was still kept in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

But Effiong said Yusuf Bichi, the director-general of the DSS gave instruction that the court order should be obeyed.

“On Wednesday, 27th May, 2020 at about 9:30 a.m., our client, Kufre Carter, a sport’s journalist with XL 106.9 FM in Uyo regained freedom after spending one month in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) at the instance and on the instigation of the Akwa Ibom State Government,” Effiong said in a statement.

“This came after the Director-General of the SSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, ordered the SSS Command in Akwa Ibom State to comply with the valid and subsisting Order of the Court and release our client.”

More to follow…