Coalition to Egbetokun: Stop ‘police harassment’ of journalist over yet to be published story

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has asked Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to stop the use of police to harass a journalist over a yet-to-be published story.

On May 31, Emmanuel Agbo, a Premium Times journalist, received a letter inviting him to the office of the deputy inspector-general of police, intelligence response team (NPF-IRT) in Abuja over a yet-to-be-published report.

According to Premium Times, Agbo was invited to clarify a petition by Homadils Realty Limited, a land developer and major party to a land dispute, on which his planned story focuses.

In a statement on Friday, CWPPF said the incessant use of police force by powerful individuals and organisations as a tool to harass journalists and suppress investigative journalism needs to stop.

“The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) expresses deep concerns over the invitation of a journalist with Premium Times Newspaper, Mr. Emmanuel Agbo, on Wednesday, the 5th of June, 2024, over a yet-to-be-published report,” the statement reads.

“CWPPF finds the invitation of Mr. Agbo by the police, and the intention of the force to compel the journalist to disclose his source disturbing, as such an act undermines the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of the press and the protection of their sources.

“The persistent use of the police force by powerful individuals and organisations as a tool to harass journalists and suppress investigative journalism needs to stop.

“It is high time the Inspector General of Police addressed this manifestation of outright disregard for the rule of law and democratic principles.

“The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, must immediately put an end to the attempt to use the police force to harass Mr. Emmanuel Agbo of Premium Times over a report he is yet to publish.

“The harassment signals an attempt to restrain and censor him from publishing his findings.

“Journalists have the right to discharge their constitutionally charged duties without fear of reprisal, and the Nigeria Police Force should not allow itself to be used as a tool of oppression against journalists.”