• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

SERAP To Commonwealth: Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks On Journalists, Protesters

by Olugbenga Soyele
1 year ago
in News
SERAP
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland QC, to apply the Commonwealth Charter to hold the Nigerian government accountable for alleged attacks on journalists covering the #EndHunger protests and peaceful protests in some parts of the country.

Advertisement

SERAP, in the Urgent Appeal dated August 3, 2024, and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, also asked Ms Scotland to use the Charter to press the Nigerian authorities to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate reported attacks.

The civil society organisation further urged the Commonwealth‘s Secretary-General to compel the Nigerian government to publish the outcome of any investigation, to hold suspected perpetrators to account, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the affected journalists and peaceful protesters for any violations of domestic law and international standards.

SERAP also called on Ms Scotland to mandate the government to uphold the rights of journalists to monitor and report on protests and ensure their safety, as well as ensure that journalists are not detained, threatened, attacked or restricted when covering noteworthy events of interest to the public, such as protests.

The Urgent Appeal was copied to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

RELATED

BBNaija10: ‘I’ll Never Make Up With Victory Again’, Gigi Jasmine Reveals

BBNaija10: ‘I’ll Never Make Up With Victory Again’, Gigi Jasmine Reveals

2 minutes ago
Analyst Hails Senate Over Passage Of Tax Reform Bills

Tinubu Approves N4.2bn For 158 TETFund Research Projects

6 minutes ago

It maintained that the targeting of journalists with lethal or less-lethal force for doing their work is prohibited under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law and contrary to best law enforcement standards.

The organisation insisted that those violating these standards must be subject to accountability and disciplinary processes and that the Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure accountability of institutions, media freedom, and peaceful assembly in Nigeria

SERAP also claimed that the Nigerian authorities over the years have repeatedly demonstrated that it is not committed to protecting human rights.

It further stated, “Respect for Commonwealth values is essential for citizens to trust Commonwealth institutions. The Commonwealth ought to take a strong stand for protecting human rights and media freedom in Nigeria, which are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s integrity, functioning, and effectiveness of its institutions.

„Nigerian authorities are legally obligated to protect journalists reporting the news, including covering protests. Nigerian authorities also must investigate and punish any violence within the framework of a public demonstration, including attacks on the press.

 

„The Commonwealth Charter and declarations recognise media freedom and the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, mainly through peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, access to information, and media freedom, which apply both offline and online.

 

„Any peaceful protesters and journalists detained solely because they exercised the right to peaceful assembly and covering the protests should be immediately and unconditionally released.

 

„Law enforcement officers should only resort to force in ‚exceptional‘ circumstances. Any use of force must only be the minimum amount necessary, targeted at specific individuals, and proportionate to the threat posed.

 

„The restrictions on the use of force, including against journalists covering protests, are even more critical when security agents use lethal force such as firearms.

 

„The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples‘ Rights, contain language protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

 

„Nigerian authorities must consistently promote a culture of accountability for law enforcement officials during protests. Any use of force must be investigated to determine whether the force was necessary and proportionate.

 

„Nigerian authorities must investigate effectively, impartially and promptly any allegation or reasonable suspicion of unlawful use of force or other violations by law enforcement officials in the context of protests.

 

„The presence of journalists in protests promotes transparency and accountability and can deter the commission of such violations and abuses. To assume such a role, journalists have the right to observe and, by extension, monitor protests and record reactions to protests by officials or other actors.

 

„Journalists play an essential watchdog role covering protests. Nigerian security agents must ensure the safety of journalists covering protests and guarantee the right of the public to seek and receive information about these social mobilisations.“

 

 

It said according to their information, security agents attacked journalists and some peaceful protesters in Abuja and other parts of the country, adding that security agents reportedly tear gassed and shot at journalists and peaceful protesters, chasing and shooting at fleeing journalists.

 

It added that according to reports, bullets pierced a Premium Times reporter‘s car, conveying journalists out of the location at three different locations in Abuja, saying journalists inside the car shot by security agents are those of The PUNCH, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.

 

„Also, a commuter vehicle‘s glass was reportedly shattered with bullets. These journalists visibly identified themselves as press. Security agents also allegedly arrested a freelance journalist, Ayoola Babalola, and some peaceful protesters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday,“ it said.

 

„Over 50 journalists have been reportedly arrested simply for covering the protests,“ it noted. Journalist Abdulqudus Ogundapo reportedly said he was scared for his safety when caught in the gunfire.

 

„On Thursday, some law enforcement officials reportedly abducted and carted away the camera and phones of The PUNCH photojournalist Kayode Jaiyeola. On Friday in the Federal Capital Territory, police officers allegedly fired teargas at journalists covering the protest at the Berger roundabout.

 

„In Borno State, nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were reportedly arrested by security officials in Maiduguri as they were covering the protests,“ SERAP stated.

 


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel




Tags: SERAP
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Protests: ‘Hold Governor Yusuf Responsible For Destruction In Kano’

Next Post

#EndBadGovernance Protesters Hold Interdenominational Church Service On Protest Ground

Olugbenga Soyele

Olugbenga Soyele

You May Like

BBNaija10: ‘I’ll Never Make Up With Victory Again’, Gigi Jasmine Reveals
Entertainment

BBNaija10: ‘I’ll Never Make Up With Victory Again’, Gigi Jasmine Reveals

2025/08/05
Analyst Hails Senate Over Passage Of Tax Reform Bills
Education

Tinubu Approves N4.2bn For 158 TETFund Research Projects

2025/08/05
Cancer: Remi Tinubu, Bagudu Urge Nigerians On Regular Screening
News

Remi Tinubu Donates ₦1bn To Niger Flood Victims

2025/08/05
Alleged Serial Killer ‘Olori Esho’ Remanded Over Multiple Murder Cases In Lagos
News

Alleged Serial Killer ‘Olori Esho’ Remanded Over Multiple Murder Cases In Lagos

2025/08/05
TVC’s Top Executive Morayo Afolabi-Brown Quits After 12 Years
News

TVC’s Top Executive Morayo Afolabi-Brown Quits After 12 Years

2025/08/05
WAEC Records 76.36% Pass In 2022 WASSCE
Education

WAEC Denies Results Cancellation, Requesting Scripts From Schools

2025/08/05
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

BBNaija10: ‘I’ll Never Make Up With Victory Again’, Gigi Jasmine Reveals

Tinubu Approves N4.2bn For 158 TETFund Research Projects

Remi Tinubu Donates ₦1bn To Niger Flood Victims

Alleged Serial Killer ‘Olori Esho’ Remanded Over Multiple Murder Cases In Lagos

Nigeria Wins Hosting Rights For 2nd African School Games In 2027

TVC’s Top Executive Morayo Afolabi-Brown Quits After 12 Years

WAEC Denies Results Cancellation, Requesting Scripts From Schools

UK Opens 2025 Chevening Scholarship Applications For Nigerians, Others

Brazil Court Places Ex-President Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

German 1990 World Cup Winner Frank Mill Dies At 67

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.