*Online editors insist on press freedom, safety of journalistsThis is coming as the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) has emphasised the need for press freedom in the country, noting that journalism plays a pivotal role in advancing the environmental agenda, serving as a catalyst for change and as a watchdog for accountability.
Ojukwu was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the IG and was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos.
In a statement issued yesterday by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser/Chairman of the Advocacy Committee, Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nigeria strongly condemned the abduction and called on the IG to order Ojukwu’s release.
The group raised the alarm over the safety of journalists in the country, noting that the report of the abduction of the journalist was coming at about the period the world was celebrating the freedom of the press.
IPI said that Ojukwu should be released immediately or else, the IG, Egbetokun, would be included in IPI Nigeria’s book of infamy and branded an enemy of the media and journalists.It warned that the IG’s inclusion on the list carries serious consequences beyond the shores of Nigeria.
IPI Nigeria lamented that the abduction of Ojukwu followed the same pattern where a few weeks ago, the Nigerian military abducted another journalist, Mr. Segun Olatunji, in a Gestapo manner in Lagos and flew him to Abuja under humiliating conditions in violation of his rights to dignity and expression.
“With the two incidents cited above, a pattern has emerged that points to the fact that the administration of President Bola Tinubu does not only condone repression of freedom of the press but also encourages it, in contradiction of promises made during the president’s inaugural speech that his administration would uphold fundamental human rights,” IPI Nigeria said.
It said the action of the IG is tantamount to an abuse of his powers and office.
IPI Nigeria called on President Tinubu to sanction the IG for failing to lead by example, saying nobody is above the law.
“Human rights violations have continued unabated because perpetrators are hardly held to account. It is time to begin holding those suppressing freedom of expression to account,” the statement said.
Ojukwu was said to have gone missing last Wednesday and was unreachable as his phones were switched off and his whereabouts were unknown.
Twenty-four hours after he went missing, FIJ filed a missing persons’ report at police stations in the area where Ojukwu was headed.
Luckily, a private detective hired by FIJ eventually managed to trace the last active location of Ojukwu’s phones to an address in Isheri Olofin.
Confirming that Ojukwu was still in police custody, a lawyer, Ridwan Oke, who tweets as @Ridwanullahii, yesterday disclosed that he met with Ojukwu at the SCID, Panti, Lagos.While narrating his experience at the SCID, Oke noted that the Nigerian police system cares less about the fundamental rights of citizens.
He blamed the judicial system for granting remands without proper consideration for the rights of citizens.
“The Nigerian Police is irredeemable and this is unbecoming of a law enforcement agency. @Mazi_OJD is a journalist. If he runs afoul of the law, let him face the court, and not detain him with zero charge. Free Daniel now!” he added.
Ojukwu and Olatunji’s travails bring to mind the infamous days of the late military despot, Gen. Sani Abacha when security agents clamped down on media houses and practitioners.But the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Friday said that no journalist in the country has been detained since his principal, President Bola Tinubu became president on May 29, 2023.
Idris said this on Friday at a press briefing organised by his ministry in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management and the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation to commemorate 2024 World Press Freedom Day.But apart from Ojukwu and Olatunji’s travails, a journalist with The Whistler Newspaper, Kasarahchi Aniagolu; a reporter with Daybreak Newspaper, Achadu Gabriel; a journalist with the Sun Newspaper, Godwin Tsa; an online publisher and journalist, Precious Eze; the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor of Informant247, Salihu Ayatullahi and Adisa-Jaji Azeez, respectively; Publisher of Just Events Online, Abdulrazaq Babatunde, and Publisher of Satcom Media, Lukman Bolakale, among others have been abducted or detained since President Tinubu came to power.
In a related development, ACOE has emphasised the need for press freedom in the country.
In a statement signed by the Acting President, Martin Odiete, and the Acting Secretary, Omosola Akingboye to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, ACOE called on the government to commit to the protection of rights, safety, and security of journalists across the country.
The editors emphasised the challenges that journalists face in carrying out their vital work, adding that as environmental defenders, journalists often confront threats, harassment, and violence for their courageous efforts to expose societal crimes and protect the natural world.
Speaking of this year’s theme ‘’A press For the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis”, the body pointed out that through investigative reporting, insightful analysis, and compelling storytelling, journalists shed light on the pressing issues of environmental crisis facing the nation and inspire mass action towards positive change.
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