Stephen Kefas, Kaduna Based Blogger Arrested In Port Harcourt
The Oasis Reporters
May 10, 2019
By Mike Odeh James, (Kaduna bureau chief)
Police have arrested a Kaduna based blogger and civil rights advocate, Mr. Stephen Kefas .
According to news sources Mr. Kefas who was in Port Harcourt, Rivers state was allegedly lured by a friend’s telephone call requesting for a meeting at a particular location.
On getting to the location, the police pounced on him and had him arrested.
Breaking: Steven Kefason @realKefason, a popular relentless critique of el-Rufai style of governance, has been whisked by the police in Port Harcourt to an unknown place, his kinsmen alleged this evening"
#FreeStevenKefasonnow#— Luka Binniyat (@Kindusluka) May 8, 2019
The Rivers State Police Command seems likely to transfer the blogger back to Kaduna State for questioning.
According to sources, the arrest of Stephen Kefas may not be unconnected to the article published by Sahara Reporters about the murder of the Agwom Adara, the traditional ruler of Adara Chiefdom whose murder sparked off series of disturbances in the state .
ICYMI: @PoliceNG Arrest Kajuru Journalist Stephen Kefas For Re-Posting Article On Facebook | Sahara Reporters
Sources reveal that Kefas who has been very critical of Governor @elrufai is to be transferred to Kaduna in the morning based on…READ MORE: https://t.co/vVE18mPnio pic.twitter.com/SCGERgMiH4— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 9, 2019
In May 2018, the blogger was believed to have incurred the wrath of Governor Nasir El Rufai when he wrote that the State Electoral Commission was gutted with fire and directly made accusations as to why it happened and who may have had a hand in it, before crucial local elections were scheduled to hold on May 12, 2018.
But el- Rufai maintained innocence, rebuking Mr. Kefas for what he described as ‘defamation.
A tweet was later to be on the governor’s handle which read, “ Many think the apparent anonymity of social media gives them latitude to be savages – to comment irresponsibly, engage in hate speech, be defamatory of others’ reputations and sometimes even treasonable . There are legal consequences and you are not as anonymous as you think .
“ Dear Mr Kefas: This irresponsible and defamatory statement will require a response. So I hope when you receive from court summons, you will be able to prove your defamation? We are tracing your address for service of court processes . Help the processes by providing it early . ”
Kefas’s arrest would bring to over 12 journalists and bloggers arrested or facing charges brought against them by the Kaduna State government.
