The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to take legal action against the Ebonyi State Government over what it called “blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists Chijioke Agwu and Peter Okutu of The Sun and Vanguard Newspapers, respectively”.
The human rights watch group also called on Governor David Umahi to reverse the life ban placed on the two newspapers from the Government House.
In a statement signed by the group’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP condemned what it called the “blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists Chijioke Agwu and Peter Okutu of The Sun and Vanguard newspapers, respectively.
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“This action is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
“We will pursue appropriate legal action nationally and internationally against Ebonyi State authorities if this illegality is not reversed within 48 hours of the publication of this statement.
“We urge Governor David Umahi to show a greater level of transparency and accountability by immediately reversing the purported ban, and allowing journalists and media houses to freely cover the activities of his government.
“Nigerians expect their leaders to show a greater level of transparency and accountability and to explain and take responsibility for what they are doing rather than threatening, intimidating, harassing and banning journalists and media houses from covering their public functions.
“These journalists and media houses are simply doing their work and playing their constitutional roles.
“The ban clearly runs counter to the notion of a free marketplace of ideas, necessary to serve the best interests of the public. Barring journalists undermines Nigeria’s pledges on democratic reforms and the rule of law and must stop now,” the statement read.