The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the arrest, detention and alleged harassment of Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub and former journalist with ThisDay newspapers, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement signed by Fidelis Mbah, deputy president of IPI Nigeria and Tobi Soniyi, legal adviser/chair, advocacy committee, the group said Ogujiuba had only been carrying out her duty of reporting on a court case involving a land dispute.
“Rather than respecting her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of the press, the police have resorted to intimidation, unlawful detention, and repeated summons to Abuja, despite the fact that she resides and works in Lagos,” the statement said.
IPI Nigeria added that Ogujiuba was arrested and detained on two separate occasions in connection with the matter.
“Such heavy-handed tactics amount to blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist for performing her lawful duties. These actions 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,” the body said.
The organisation demanded that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, immediately order his officers to desist from further harassment and ensure any allegations against Ogujiuba are pursued through due process.
“If the police believe she has committed an offence, the appropriate step is to charge her before a competent court of law – not to subject her to endless intimidation,” the statement said.
IPI Nigeria also reminded authorities that journalists must be able to report on matters of public interest without fear of 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,” it added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Ogujiuba and all journalists in Nigeria who face intimidation in the line of duty, urging the government to honour its constitutional and international obligations to protect press freedom.
This comes amid rising concern over press freedom in Nigeria.
In May 2024, journalist Daniel Ojukwu was detained without access to his family or lawyers for over 48 hours, sparking outrage over the use of the Cybercrime Act to target the press.
Nigeria currently ranks 112th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index.