The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the arrest and detention of two journalists by the Kwara police command.
On February 7, Salihu Ayatullahi and Adisa-Jaji Azeez, editor-in-chief and managing editor of Informant247, an online media outfit, were reportedly charged in a magistrate court over reports published on November 10, 2023, and February 1, 2024, regarding an alleged corruption in Kwara state Polytechnic.
The journalists were charged with conspiracy under section 27(1)(b), cyberstalking under section 24(1)(b) of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, and defamation under section 393 of the penal code.
The duo will face jail terms of up to seven years for conspiracy, three years with a fine of N7 million (US$4,966) for cyberstalking, and two years with an unspecified fine for defamation if found guilty.
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Reacting to the development in a statement on Tuesday, the CWPPF faulted the incessant harassment against the newsroom, urging the police to drop all charges against the two journalists.
The organisation appealed to the court to ensure that the detained journalists get a fair trial in line with international standards of justice.
The CWPPF added that the arrest is a case of “strategic litigation against public participation” (SLAPP), aimed at thwarting the reporting process.
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The organisation enjoined the police to desist from further attempts to obstruct the right of people to access information as the third leg of the report by Informant247 is set to be released in the coming days.
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