IPC protests arrest and detention of the Publisher, Azuka over investigative story

IPC protests arrest and detention of publisher, Azuka over investigative story

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria has protested the arrest and detention of the publisher of Media Room Hub, Mr. Azuka Ogujiuba by the police over a land dispute story published in his medium.

In a press release issued and signed by the press freedom officer, Safety and protection of journalists Hub, Melody Akinjiyan, and made available to the media Wednesday, IPC condemned the unlawful acts of intimidation, harassment and detention of the Publisher of and a former journalist (Azuka) with ThisDay Newspapers by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Information reaching SPJ-Hub confirmed that Azuka Ogujiuba was arrested and detained on two occasions over her coverage of a court case involving a land dispute. Despite being based in Lagos, she has been repeatedly summoned to Abuja.

“Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said, “these actions of intimidation, harassment and detention are highly condemnable and the Police alongside the Federal Government must uphold their responsibility to respect everyone’s right to freedom of expression.

“The Police must desist from being used to constantly punish journalists who carry out their duties.

“If the Police has anything against Azuka Ogujiuba or if she has committed any crime, the right and lawful step should be taken, not subjecting her to constant harassment,” Arogundade further stated.

The release reiterated that, the SPJ-Hub reinforces the need to safeguard press freedom and put a stop to all forms of harassment and intimidation against journalists.

It stressed that, the SPJ-Hub is therefore calling on the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to stop all forms of intimidation and harassment on Azuka Ogujiuba and guarantee her safety.

Findings by this medium have shown that in the recent past, journalists have been victims of unhealthy circumstances as a result of their professional calling across the globe. A trend viewed by veterans and analysts as a deliberate tactics to gag or corce the media in digging the facts in all happenings.