Day to End Impunity

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 Press Release PERSISTENT HARASSMENT OF LANRE AROGUNDADE BY DSS CONSTITUTES SYSTEMATIC ABUSE OF POWER AND VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHT  For immediate release, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 The International Press Centre (IPC), hereby strongly registers its displeasure over yet another incident of harassment of its Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, by officials of the State Security Service otherwise known as the DSS, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria. The incident of Thursday April 11, while Mr. Arogundade prepared to board a late-night Air France Flight to Berlin, Germany to participate in the respective general meetings and conferences of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) would be the umpteenth of such unwelcome development. Mr. Arogundade is a renowned journalist, advocate for social justice and democracy, former Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists and former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students. We believe these roles and positions should not warrant his unending torment by the DSS. Mr. Arogundade recounted the encounter in a Facebook post: “I was harassed by DSS officials for about 40 minutes because they claimed my name was still flashing on their watchlist despite the declaration two years ago by the Director General of the State Security Service, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, that my name had been removed when he met a delegation of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) led by Musikilu Mojeed.” Mr. Arogundade additionally informed IPC management that the senior DSS official to whom he was referred threatened to bar him from traveling unless he produced his old passports describing the request as “bizarre and ridiculous”. IPC holds that the persistent harassment violates Mr. Arogundade’s right to freedom of movement while undermining basic democratic principles. IPC hereby calls on the Director General of the DSS, and in particular his men and officers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to desist from further harassing Mr. Arogundade. SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Press Freedom Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

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   ABDUCTION OF CHANNELS TV REPORTER: I-CSPJ CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS ON RELEASE Press Release     For immediate release, April 12, 2024 IPC’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), Lagos-Nigeria is calling for a concerted effort towards the immediate release of Channels TV reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was whisked away to an unknown place by gunmen around 9p.m on Thursday April 11, 2024, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt. Information reaching, I-CSPJ reveals that, “Joshua Rogers was driving his official Channels Television branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.” Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened. “Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for his release, the report revealed.” IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “The spate of insecurity in the country should be of serious concern to all adding that it is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets.” I-CSPJ enjoins the Rivers State Government and relevant security agencies to do all they can to ensure that Joshua Rogers is set free without being harmed in any way. I-CSPJ therefore appeals to other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his release and safety. SGD: Melody Akinjiyan Press Freedom Officer, IPC melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

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COMMUNIQUE OF A ONE-DAY STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM ON JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY AND PRESS FREEDOM LIMITATIONS IN NIGERIA

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COMMUNIQUE OF A ONE-DAY STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM ON JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY AND PRESS FREEDOM LIMITATIONS IN NIGERIA HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 AT R&A HOTEL, ALLEN AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS BY THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, IPC, LAGOS-NIGERIA. Preamble The International Press Centre, (IPC) Lagos-Nigeria, in accordance with the directive of UNESCO to hold a combined celebration of the 2020 World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd) and the 2020 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, around the period of the World Human Rights Day (December 10) convened a Stakeholders’ forum on Journalists’ Safety and Press Freedom Limitations in Nigeria on Wednesday December 9, 2020 in Lagos.  The forum was also in continuation of IPC’s commitment to deepening engagement and consultations with media and relevant stakeholders on approaches for guaranteeing safety and improved welfare of Nigerian Journalists.  The forum, supported by the Open Society Foundations (OSF), was attended by journalists from the print, broadcast, online media, media professional bodies, media related groups, media professionals from the academia as well as the civil society. Present were the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Vice President, Zone E, Mr. AlHassan Yahya, representing the President of the NUJ, Mr. Chris Isiguzo; the Social/Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, representing the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors; the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Mr. Dotun Oladipo; the chairman of Lagos NUJ, Mr. Leye Ajayi and the Executive Director of the Institute of Media and Society, Dr. Akin Akingbulu.  Presentations The first presentation at the forum was the findings of a Survey on Safety of Journalists and Press Freedom in Nigeria being a component of a three-year project on Safety Awareness, Impactful Reporting of Communities and Improved Institutional Capacity being implemented by International Press Centre (IPC) in partnership with OSF. The survey examined the perception of about 300 journalists and editors from the print, broadcast, and online media: media scholars and non-governmental organisations, etc., on the challenges of safety of journalists and press freedom in Nigeria. Presenting the report, Mr. Francis Abayomi, who also coordinated the survey said the outcome of the survey indicates that a number of safety related issues are of serious concern to journalists and other media professionals in Nigeria. “Respondents overwhelmingly affirmed that press freedom in Nigeria is encumbered by individual and collective safety challenges for journalists with negative impacts on the journalism profession. The structure of media ownership in Nigeria fuels institutional encumbrances across all categories of media organizations to the extent that commitments of media managers to safety concerns could not be guaranteed. The survey revealed that unfavorable working environments which manifest in poor remuneration, delayed/unpaid salaries as well as poor welfare packages and incentives constitute dominant concerns that aggravate insecurity in the profession of journalism”, he reported. According to Mr. Abayomi, the key recommendations from the survey were: Inter-agency collaboration between media professional bodies and the academic to regularly review and update situations on journalists ‘safety and press freedom. Regular training and retraining of journalists on safety and press freedom related issues. Setting up a safety help desk for Nigerian journalists by International Press Centre (IPC); Setting up a foundation to manage a special fund to assist victimized journalists in overcoming the trauma of victimization. Institutional assistance to help journalists deploy the instrument of FOI Act. Regular interface with government to highlight concerns about press freedom; and  Improved synergy of activities between media NGOs and media professional groups to address concerns relating to safety of journalists. The presentation of the survey report was followed by the Special Address by Professor Ayo Olukotun of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye on the theme of the forum: Journalists’ Safety and Press Freedom Limitations in Nigeria, in which he emphasized the need for journalists to be active agents in the struggle for genuine democratic society while challenging media professionals and critical stakeholders to be at the forefront of the quest to restore the dignity of journalism profession.  According to Professor Olukotun, the media should facilitate advocacy for horizontal accountability amongst actors in governance to complement vertical accountability that has already acquired robust momentum from platforms of the civil society. In the bid to sustain the clamor for genuine democracy and good governance, the media must fine-tune public advocacy that connect and resonate with actors in governance as a way of rediscovering the golden era of Nigerian media which is in tandem with defending the truth, democracy, and constitutional mandate of the journalism profession, he further submitted. Deliberation and Observations Participants at the forum engaged the presentations on the outcome of a national survey on safety of journalists as well as submissions by the Keynote Speaker. The participants observed that: The welfare of journalists in Nigeria has degenerated over the decades and has worsened in recent years without concrete efforts at remedying the situation. Journalists have not demonstrated sufficient interest in highlighting and reporting issues that directly affect their welfare and safety individually and collectively. Journalists do not often speak up on infractions and demand respect for their protection from media establishments. There are huge gaps in the provisions for and enforcement of regulations for the protection of rights of journalists and to guarantee their welfare. Journalists and professional bodies have not adequately prioritized campaigns for insurance policies to guarantee welfare at the workplace. There is dearth of legal and medical support for journalists who are victims of abuses and brutality.  Online journalists and journalists using the social media space are facing increasing threats from the government and security agencies in the guise of fighting fake news, hate speech and cyber terrorism. Journalists face a serious challenge of deploying the instruments of freedom of information (FOI) Act for investigative purposes as a result of lack of institutional support from media establishments and poor response by government institutions.  Proposals and Recommendations        In view of the observations, the participants recommended that: There should be a reappraisal of the roles of media professional

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INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS: IPC DEMANDS JUSTICE OVER KILLINGS AND ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS

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Press Statement For immediate release, November 2, 2020 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria has said there should be urgent investigation of all suspected cases of murder and attacks on journalists and diligent prosecution of the alleged perpetrators so as to halt the disturbing trend of impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. IPC made the call for justice today as journalists, other media professionals and freedom of expression groups mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. IPC said it was unfortunate that Nigeria continues to rank high among countries where press freedom and freedom of expression are under threat stating that the recent database of attacks during the #ENDSARS protest reveals that not less than ten incidents of assault, invasion and brutalization were recorded. These include: 1.    Television Continental (TVC), Lagos: The television station was attacked and partly burnt by hoodlums on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Journalists and media professionals working in the establishment were also molested by the hoodlums. https://guardian.ng/news/hoodlums-attack-tvc-in-lagos/ 2.    Channels Television, Lagos: Security personnel attached with the station were assaulted, which led to the temporary halting of broadcast by the station on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. 3.    Toyin Yusuf, Reporter, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation: He was attacked alongside with a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists by some angry youths while covering the protest in Osun. 4.    Arise Television, Lagos: A crew from the station were prevented from carrying out their legitimate duty at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, by a group of soldiers on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. 5.    The Nation Newspaper, Lagos: the station was set on fire by hoodlums which halted activities in the organization on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. 6.    Reporters with Punch Newspaper: Policemen in Lagos State tortured journalists with Punch Newspaper for covering the #End SARS protests. 7.    Africa Independent Television (AIT), Benin: The station was set on fire by hoodlums which halted activities in the organization on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. 8.    Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC): The station was attacked by hoodlums. The hoodlums destroyed their gate and also built a bonfire in front of the state owned television station on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. www.premiumtimesng.com 9.    Akpokona Omafuaire of Vanguard Newspaper, Delta: He was brutalized by the police, on his way to an official assignment during the curfew imposed by the Delta State Governor on Friday, October 23, 2020. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/police-attack-vanguard-reporter-damage-car-in-delta/ 10.  Emmanuel Adeyemi of Sun Newspaper, Kogi: He was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot on his way to the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Centre in Lokoja on Monday, October 26, 2020. Prior to the #EndSARS protest, IPC through its Journalists’ Safety Alert Desk documented fifty-nine (59) instances of attacks on journalists including unlawful arrests/detention, physical assaults, harassments, threat to life, battery, loss/damage of valuables and gadgets (cameras, phones, midgets, money) within a ten-month period. Some of the cases are: Alex Ogbu of The Regent African Time Magazine was shot by policemen and died at FCT Abuja on the 21st of January 2020. Olatunji Omirin of Daily Trust Newspaper was unlawfully arrested and detained by the Nigerian Military on the 30th of January 2020, at Maiduguri Borno State. Maxwell Nashan of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) was physically assaulted by suspected political thugs at Yola, Adamawa, on the 15th of January 2020. Vincent Ake, General Manager of the state-owned Tide Newspaper, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State was sacked for publishing report on the first case of COVID-19 in Rivers State on 26th of March 2020. His sack was premised on the allegation that he didn’t first get the approval to publish from the Taskforce on Coronavirus set up by the state government. Norbert Amede, photojournalist with the Pointer newspapers in Delta State, on April 16, 2020, was manhandled by the police in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area. He was physically wounded on the face and hospitalized for days. On May 19, 2020, Ivy Kanu of TVC news, Chuks Oluigbo of BusinessDay newspaper and 48 other essential workers were detained and at Alausa police station and their vehicles impounded by Policemen. Based on the police officer’s interpretation that of they had flouted the COVID-19 lockdown curfew. Barry Agbanigbi of Champion Newspaper was on July 27, 2020 barred from the Delta government state house by the Chief Press Secretary over a published report. Benjamin Ekom, Former Treasurer of NUJ Nasarawa State Council was murdered by unknown gunmen at his residence in Washo Village, Nasarawa on the 3rd of August 2020. Eyo Charles of Daily Trust Newspaper was on August 20, 2020 verbally assaulted by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode at a press briefing in Calabar, Cross-River State. Some of the attacks which were related to elections this year include: A mob claiming to be supporters of Godswill Akpabio, a Minister and candidate in the elections held on January 25, 2020, assaulted and destroyed the camera of Godwin Sunday, a television cameraman with the Global Pilot. Samson Adenekan of Premium Times and Nathaniel Offel of GeeTV were brutally attacked by thugs and detained for taking pictures and recording videos of irregularities during the Edo State election on 20th September 2020. Samuel Ajala, Maxwell Osita, Alamu Dolapo, among others were denied access to the collation centre at Okha Local Government, during the Edo State election on 20th September 2020. Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said these were worrisome and unwelcome developments deserving the attention of all stakeholders in the media. “We are calling for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists and other media actors. We oppose any action, legislation, regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of the press. Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria have to end for democracy to survive. Attacks against media institutions and journalists are attacks against democratic rights including the right of the public to know the truth about the way they are governed,” Mr. Arogundade stressed. IPC is also demanding justice for journalists who have been murdered and attacked in the line

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Statement by CWPPF on the occasion of the 2019 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

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The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) notes the alarming trend of media censorship by state authorities in Nigeria. We observe that public officers and influential individuals are increasingly intolerant of critical reporting and fair comments by journalists. They, therefore, resort to the use of instruments of state criminal justice system to suppress freedom of expression and free press. From January 2019 till date, we have recorded 71 attacks on the media, including arrests, intimidation, detention and killings. We, as a coalition, totally condemn this abuse of power by state actors and security agencies. Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution and several international instruments acceded to by Nigeria guarantee the right to press freedom as the media exercise their statutory duties. The right of citizens to freedom of expression, to seek, receives and imparts information and ideas through any medium are guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) also guarantees the rights to seek receives and impart information and ideas of all kinds, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media. The flagrant disobedience of court orders and the charges of treason, terrorism and cybercrimes against citizens by Federal and State Governments set a dangerous precedent in the misuse of the state criminal justice system to silence free expression. In recent times, the Federal Government has charged journalists, including Jones Abiri and Omoyele Sowore, with treason and terrorism for engaging in social activism and practicing Journalism. This is unacceptable. As if taking a cue from the federal government, the governors of Cross River, Kaduna and Kano States have followed this trend by charging Agba Jalingo, Chidi Odinkalu and Nazir Ahmad respectively with obnoxious and strange offences of terrorism, cybercrime and criminal defamation. Furthermore, some sections of the Judiciary, as a consequence of its lack of independence, have become willing tools in the hands of state and federal governments by granting judicial approvals that stifle free speech. They do this through the demand of onerous bail conditions and unconventional trial procedures in criminal charges against journalists and other citizens. This also contributes, in no small measure, to the validation of human rights abuses by the State. We demand that Nigeria must take steps to amend or repeal oppressive provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, particularly Sections 24 and 25, and other laws, which violate international and regional treaties on human rights to which Nigeria is a state party as well as Section 1(3) and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The government’s declared intention to regulate citizens’ use and access to social media and the civic space must not be in conflict with or constitute a breach of existing laws pertaining freedom of speech and association. Media stakeholders and the civil society need to continue to harp on the inviolability of Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, which accords the media the role of holding government accountable to the people. The campaign for free press must be sustained by the media and civil society to ensure that public officials fully guarantee that journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, social media users and all media practitioners are allowed to carry out their work without any form of intimidation and persecution. Government must also take concrete measures to respect, protect and ensure the effective enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom. Media practitioners must be proactive in the defense and protection of media freedom. We must engage in advocacy and public enlightenment while also holding regular public hearings into allegations of harassment and attacks on journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, social media users and all media practitioners’ right to freedom of expression. We call on the African Union, regional and sub-regional bodies and the international community to prevail on state authorities in Nigeria to abide by their obligation to respect media freedom, citizen’s freedom of expression and enable the growth of a free and vibrant press in Nigeria. Freedom of expression is critical to the sustenance of democracy and the advancement of an orderly, informed and progressive society. The Coalition is prepared to defend the interest of citizens and organisations whose rights are violated in the exercise of freedom of expression. SIGNED COALITION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION AND PRESS FREEDOM (CWPPF) African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) Civic Media Lab Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) Daily Trust Newspaper International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) International Press Centre (IPC) HEDA Resource Centre Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) OrderPaper Paradigm Initiative (P.I) Premium Times (PT) Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) Sahara Reporters (SR) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) The Cable Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)

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