Members of the House of Representatives denounced on Thursday the nation’s unrelenting apprehension and imprisonment of journalists while they perform their constitutionally mandated duties.
Under the heading “Need to curtail the incessant and unlawful arrest and detention of journalists by law enforcement agencies,” member Clement Jimbo, who represents Akwa Ibom State’s Abak/Etomi Ekpon/Ika Federal Constituency, sponsored the urgently needed motion. Jimbo bemoaned the recent wave of unjustifiable arrests of journalists in Nigeria and said that such developments must be addressed in order to preserve the Fourth Estate of the realm.
The Green Chamber cautioned those who harass journalists to stop doing so and emphasized the value of a free press to the development and maintenance of democracy.
The Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement organizations were urged by the House, after the motion was adopted, “to cautiously and democratically rely on Section 24 of Cybercrime Act 2015 as amended and/or charge anyone, including journalists, to court, if they have violated any law of the land instead of depriving them of their constitutional right.”
In addition, it promised to “pass laws to strengthen protections for press freedom, as well as conduct inquiries into recent cases of detention of journalists and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.”
“There has been a troubling increase in the number of journalists being unlawfully arrested, detained, and harassed for carrying out their professional duties,” Jimbo stated, leading the debate, citing the Cybercrimes Act of 2015’s cyber-stalking offense.
“At least 25 journalists have been subjected to unjustified arrests, unlawful detentions, and various forms of harassment and intimidation during their official duties between 2015 and 2024. These incidents are endangering the core foundation of democracy and ultimately resulting in a violation of their constitutionally protected right to free speech.”
Jimbo added that despite efforts by the federal government to support free expression, journalists are still subjected to unconscionable abuse at the hands of police authorities.
The President signed the Amended Act earlier in 2024, making significant changes to Section 24, which defined cyberstalking and outlined the associated penalties.
“The law enforcement officials disregarded this element and persisted in their suppression of free expression.
“Unfortunately, during the previous regime, fifteen journalists were arrested, and at least ten during the past year,” he continued.
“Unfortunately, during the previous regime, fifteen journalists were arrested, and at least ten during the past year,” he continued.
The All Progressives Congress MP warned that if this tendency keeps up, it may become too tough to pursue a career in this field.
In addition to the negative effects of the journalists’ arrest, the House is worried that this action could worsen the environment for independent and investigative journalism in the nation’s media and that those who support the Fourth Republic’s democracy will be held accountable for their excesses by those who uphold this act of arbitrary absolutism.
The House is concerned that Mr. Daniel Ojukwu’s arrest in March 2024, in particular, was particularly unsettling because it was carried out in a commando manner and occurred just forty-three hours after World Press Day this year.
“Because of actions like these, Reporters Without Borders has rated Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places in West Africa to practice,” the speaker continued.
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