Reps ask security agencies to stop ‘incessant arrest of journalists’

The house of representatives has asked security agencies to stop “incessant” arrest and detention of journalists.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Thursday, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance titled: ‘Need to Curtail the Incessant and Unlawful Arrest and Detention of Journalists by Law Enforcement Agencies’.

The motion was sponsored by Clement Jimbo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency of Akwa Ibom.

There has been a spike in the clampdown on journalists by security operatives in the last one year. 

In February, Kasarachi Aniagolu, a journalist with the Whistler Newspaper in Abuja, was arrested and detained for several hours.

In March, Segun Olatunji, then editor of FirstNews, was abducted in Lagos.

On May 1, Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was detained by the police for 10 days after he was “abducted” by officers in Lagos.

On May 14, Jamil Mabai, a freelance journalist, was detained by the Katsina Hisbah religious police after being invited to “interview their spokesperson”.

On May 23, Madu Onuorah, publisher and editor-in-chief of Globalupfront Newspaper, was arrested and detained in Abuja.

On May 28, the police detained Dayo Aiyetan, executive director of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and Nurudeen Akewushola, a reporter.

‘CHARGE JOURNALISTS TO COURT IF THEY VIOLATE THE LAW’

Moving the motion, Jimbo said press freedom is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution and must be obeyed. 

The lawmaker said journalists are being “unlawfully arrested, detained, and harassed” for carrying out their professional duties by law enforcement agencies “relying on the offence of cyber-stalking within the Cybercrimes Act, 2015”.

The legislator said between 2015 and 2024, at least 25 journalists have been arrested and detained.

Jimbo told his colleagues that the frequent arrest of journalists may limit investigative and independent journalism.

The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.

Consequently, the house said protecting the rights of journalists is not only important for upholding democracy but also for safeguarding the principles of free speech and human rights.

The green chamber asked the police and other law enforcement agencies to “cautiously and democratically rely on section 24 of the 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”.

The lower legislative chamber also resolved to conduct inquiries into recent cases of detention of journalists and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.

The house mandated the committees on national security to ensure compliance.