- Safiu Kehinde
The International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the arrest and detention of Nigerian journalist, Azuka Ogujiuba, charging the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to the stop the alleged harassment of the Media Room Hub publisher.
Ogujiuba was reportedly arrested by the police over her coverage of a land scam case in court.
The IPI, in a statement issued on Tuesday, noted that her recent arrest marks the second time she will be apprehended by the police in what was described blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist.
This, according to the institute, undermine press freedom, erode public confidence in the rule of law, and constitute a direct violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“On two separate occasions, Ms Ogujiuba has been arrested and detained in connection with this matter.
“Such heavy-handed tactics amount to blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist for performing her lawful duties,” the statement partly read.
IPI demanded that Egbetokun restrict his officers from further harassing Ogujiuba, stressing that if the journalist had committed an offence, the appropriate step is to charge her before a competent court of law, not to subject her to endless intimidation.
The institute warned the IGP of being added to its Book of Infamy if the harassment against the journalist continues.
While expressing it solidarity with the detained journalist, the IPI charged the Nigerian government to uphold its responsibility to protect press freedom and to ensure that the rights of journalists are respected without compromise.
“IPI Nigeria demands that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, immediately order his officers to desist from further harassment of Ms Ogujiuba and ensure that any allegations against her, if they exist, are pursued strictly through due process and the proper constitutional channels.
“IPI Nigeria reminds the authorities that journalists must be able to cover matters of legitimate public interest without fear of arrest, detention, or reprisals.
“Any attempt to muzzle the press strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s democracy and weakens public trust in its institutions.
“We therefore caution that, if this pattern of harassment continues, IPI Nigeria will have no choice but to formally include the Inspector-General of Police in its “Book of Infamy” — a public record of individuals and institutions that violate or enable violations of press freedom in Nigeria.
“IPI Nigeria restates its call on all law enforcement agencies to act within the bounds of the law and to honour the constitutional and international commitments that safeguard freedom of the press.
“We stand in full solidarity with Azuka Ogujiuba and with all journalists in Nigeria who face intimidation and persecution in the line of duty.
“The Nigerian government must uphold its responsibility to protect press freedom and to ensure that the rights of journalists are respected without compromise,” the Institute added.
The statement was jointly signed by Deputy President of IPI Nigeria, Fidelis Mbah and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser and Chair of the Advocacy Committee.