Nigeria journalists deny sedition

The newspaper said it was trying to save President Obasanjo's life

Two Nigerian journalists have denied charges of sedition, linked to a story about a new presidential aircraft.

The Daily Independent's Rotimi Durojaiye was charged after one of his articles questioned the cost and age of President Olusegun Obasanjo's plane.

The other journalist, Gbenga Aruleba, was arrested after discussing the article on his talk show on private television station, AIT.

The two men face up to two years in prison if convicted.

They are accused of seeking to "bring into hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against the person of the president."

Their bail application was denied.

I strongly believe that it is democracy that is on trial. Raymond Dokpesi, AIT owner

Mr Durojaiye's article "Controversy over age, cost of presidential jet" suggested that the Mr Obasanjo's official plane may have experienced technical problems.

"All we are saying is that we are trying to protect the life of the president of this country," the managing director of the Daily Independent newspaper Ted Iwere told reporters outside the courtroom.

"I strongly believe that it is democracy that is on trial. Reporters must be granted and guaranteed the opportunity to discharge their duty," said AIT (African Independent Television) owner Raymond Dokpesi.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) has condemned the arrest of Mr Aruleba.

The government's opponents have accused it of cracking down on criticism ahead of next year's elections.