Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the ongoing harassment and intimidation of journalists, expressing deep concern over the escalating incidents of abductions, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and other forms of attacks against media professionals by security and law enforcement agencies. MRA warns that these actions have reached alarming levels, posing a severe threat to media freedom and democracy in Nigeria.
MRA described the relentless harassment of journalists by the Police and other security agencies, citing recent examples as part of this disturbing trend. The organization highlighted the cases of Ms. Ayomide Eweje, Managing Editor of “Alimosho Today,” a community news outlet in Lagos; Mr. Wisdom Okezie, a former reporter with the news organization; and the Publisher, Mr. Oluwamodupe Akinola. These journalists have been summoned by the Nigeria Police to report to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos, on August 27, 2024, to “facilitate” an undisclosed investigation.
The three journalists received separate letters dated August 22, 2024, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Martin Nwogoh on behalf of the AIG in charge of Zone 2 headquarters. The letters indicated that the office was “investigating a matter reported to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police,” without providing details on who reported the matter or what information was required from the journalists, leaving them unable to prepare adequately.
The deputy police commissioner instructed Ms. Eweje, Mr. Okezie, and Mr. Akinola to report to the officer in charge of the Zonal Monitoring Unit, emphasizing that “this is a fact-finding exercise in the interest of justice and fairness.”
In a statement issued in Lagos by the Head of its Legal Department, Ms. Obioma Okonkwo, MRA criticized the Police’s failure to provide specifics in the letter of invitation, describing it as an ambush. She added that MRA had identified a pattern of similar invitations designed to lure journalists to police stations, only to detain them upon their arrival.
Ms. Okonkwo noted the troubling trend of the Police being used as a tool by public officials and other powerful individuals to silence and punish journalists who publish unfavorable reports. She remarked, “It appears that the Police now treat journalism as a crime, enabling anyone displeased with a report to use the Police to aggressively pursue the journalists involved, while real criminals often operate with impunity.”
She further pointed out that when complaints are made to the Police regarding media reports, the Police often claim to be investigating the complaints as a justification for summoning, detaining, or charging journalists. However, she asserted that no genuine investigation is conducted to verify the accuracy of the published stories.
Ms. Okonkwo called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to implement measures to curb the misuse of police powers. She emphasized that the consistent failure to address this issue has fostered a climate of impunity, emboldening police officers to continue harassing journalists without fear of consequences, leading to a surge in unjustified attacks on the press.
