IPI Condemns Police Harassment Of Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba
The Nigerian national committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the arrest and detention of Azuka Ogujiuba, a publisher of Media Room Hub, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Ogujiuba, a former journalist with ThisDay newspapers, was said to be reporting on a court case involving a land dispute before her arrest by the police.
The IPI, in a statement on Tuesday, said that rather than respecting her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of the press, the police further resorted to unlawful detention of the journalist.
“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 IPI said.
The actions, the Institute noted, 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.
“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.
The institute said 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.
“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.
IPI Condemns Police Harassment Of Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
