Activist asks judicial panel to summon CNN for ‘criminal contempt’

Kenechukwu Okeke, a human rights activist, has asked the Lagos state judicial panel to summon CNN over its report on the shooting at Lekki tollgate.

Okeke, who had earlier sued 50 persons for “promoting” the #EndSARS protests, accused CNN of creating tension with its report on the shooting incident.

On Wednesday, CNN published an investigation on the Lekki incident, alleging that soldiers used live rounds on protesters who had converged on Lekki tollgate on October 20.

The report had drawn the ire of the federal government who threatened to sanction CNN over “irresponsible reporting”.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, described the alleged killings at the tollgate as “massacre without bodies”.

The army also denied the report, saying it only used blank bullets to disperse the crowd.

On Monday, Okeke said he had filed criminal proceedings against the news outlet.

“I filed a contempt petition at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for criminal contempt summons (Form C) to issue against CNN Africa, CNN International, Messsrs. Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Stephanie Busari, Nima Elbagir, Gianluca Mezzofiore and Katie Polglase, Barbara Arvanitidis, Muhammad Darwish and Oscar Featherstone; and I shall ensure that the criminal contempt proceedings is alleged contemnors are dealt with according to law,” he said in a statement.

“Without mincing words, CNN or any other foreign media organisation must respect the laws of the Federation of Nigeria (including any regulations thereof), and also treat the population with respect, courtesy, and acting with impartiality, integrity and respect for diversity.”

CNN had said the report, which was carefully and meticulously researched, is based on multiple witness account.