The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has expressed concern over the harassment of journalists in Enugu State, urging the state governor, Mr Peter Mbah Ndubuisi, to stop the unconstitutional intimidation of media practitioners in the state. The MRA is worried that the governor is violating his oath of office two months after being inaugurated as governor
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has expressed concern over the harassment of journalists in Enugu State, urging the state governor, Mr Peter Mbah Ndubuisi, to stop the unconstitutional intimidation of media practitioners in the state.
The MRA is worried that the governor is violating his oath of office two months after being inaugurated as governor of the coal-rich state by intimidating and harassing media practitioners in the state, a statement released by MRA’s communication officer, Idowu Adewale alleged.
Speaking on the situation in the state, MRA Deputy Director, Mr. Ayode Longe, denounced the intimidation of the Publisher of New Centre, Micheal Okechuwu Ilediagu, whose home was raided by police officers, and other journalists who had received threats, noting that it is not the responsibility of journalists to receive praise but rather to carry out their legal obligations.
Mr Longe further explained that “Mr Ilediagu had been subjected to intimidation by operatives of the Police Anti-kidnapping Squad in the State, who invaded his home and arrested him over his reporting on developments in the State, with no evidence that he had committed any offence, adding that officials of the Enugu State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as other journalists and civil society actors in the State, have confirmed that the journalist and publisher continue to face threats and harassment from State Government officials”.
Therefore, Mr. Longe forewarned the governor that the civil society organisation is prepared to take legal action to oppose the abuse of authority in the state, and he added that the international media would also be informed of the development in the state.
“We wish to advise Governor Mbah, in the light of the fact that he is new to his office, that the media do not exist to sing his praises but to perform a constitutionally mandated function of upholding the responsibility and accountability of his government to the people. Accordingly, the unwarranted attacks by his government on journalists engaged in the lawful pursuit of their professional duties will not go unchallenged.”
“If the situation persists, we will be compelled to activate all constitutional means and international mechanisms available to us to challenge this ongoing illegality, which constitutes a clear abuse of office and abuse of power.”
Displeased with the unconstitutional use of police to harass journalists, while criminals are allegedly walking free in the state, Mr. Longe urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, to step in and stop what he described as the abuse of police authority by looking into the actions taken by the police in Enugu State at the direction of the governor’s office to intimidate and harass journalists working in the state and prevent them from carrying out their constitutional duties.
He, therefore, called on Governor Mbah to abide by the rule of law by allowing journalists and media practitioners to discharge their professional duties without threats or intimidation.
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