CCIJ Raises Fear Over President Tinubu’s Journalists Intimidation
The Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) has raised the alarm over the continuous “harassment of journalists in Nigeria.”
The CCIJ revealed these disturbing development in a statement signed by the Executive Director of the organisation, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein.
The body based in the United States of America (USA) held that the development is worrisome and needs to be checked immediately.
“CCIJ expresses concern over the increasing harassment and detention of journalists in Nigeria, most recently exemplified by the arrest of Adejuwon Soyinka, West African Editor of The Conversation Africa,” the statement read in part.
The body noted the case of Mr. Juwon Soyinka, the Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, who was recently detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos, with his passport still seized even after his release.
“Soyinka, an investigative journalist and the Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, August 25, 2024, upon his return from the United Kingdom.
“While Soyinka has since been released following the intervention of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, his passport remains confiscated, raising concerns about the violation of his rights and the growing trend of intimidation against journalists in Nigeria.
“We are dismayed by the continuous crackdown on press freedom in Nigeria. Since the beginning of this year, several journalists, including Segun Olatunji, Daniel Ojukwu, and Jamil Mabai, have been unjustly detained, harassed, and subjected to undue pressure by various security agencies.
“These actions are not only an affront to individual freedoms but also a grave threat to the democratic principles that Nigeria purports to uphold.
“Press freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, providing the transparency necessary for accountability and good governance. The ongoing persecution of journalists runs contrary to these principles and undermines the role of the press in fostering an informed and engaged citizenry,” the statement contained.
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The body has now called on the administration of President Tinubu to respect the rights of Nigeria journalists in Nigeria.
“The CCIJ firmly condemns these actions by Nigerian authorities and calls on the government to respect the fundamental rights of journalists to report freely and without fear of retribution. The targeting of journalists simply for carrying out their duties is unacceptable in any democratic society.
“As an organisation committed to fostering democracy through truth and transparency in journalism, CCIJ stands in solidarity with Nigerian journalists who are speaking truth to power.
“We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the free press in Nigeria through our West Africa Hub, providing a platform for investigative journalism that exposes abuse of power, injustice and promotes accountability.
“We urge the Nigerian government to cease and desist from all forms of intimidation against journalists and to uphold the rights enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which it is a signatory,” the statement went on.
The body has now vowed to mirror in on these anomalies in a bid to curb it.
“CCIJ will continue to monitor these developments closely and advocate for the protection of journalists across West Africa,” the statement read
