The International Press Centre ( IPC) has condemned the denial of access to information and the call on the London Police to arrest a Guardian reporter who was making enquiries about the President of Nigeria.
In a statement by its Director, Lanre Arogundade, the Centre described the action of the Nigerian embassy officials as unwarranted and unhealthy for democracy,
“With visits by top government officials and leading politicians to the President at the London Abuja house, his stay there has become knowledge and of public interest” said the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade.
According to him, such public interest demands the establishment of an information unit or centre in London to respond to enquiries about the President.
The IPC Director said other means of responding to the Guardian reporter should have been explored instead of the attempt to get him arrested.
President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently on extended medical vacation in London on the advice of his doctors is residing at the Abuja House, London.
The London Bureau Chief of The Nation Newspaper had earlier also been prevented from seeking audience with the president in the building.
London Police stopped the Nigerian embassy officials from preventing The Nation staff to take pictures.
