Stop Arresting Journalists, Reps Warn Security Agencies

House of Representatives has taken steps to curtail the ongoing and unlawful arrest and detention of journalists by law enforcement agencies.

The House warned perpetrators of the unwholesomeness act to desist. The lawmakers clarified that protecting journalists’  rights is important for upholding democracy and safeguarding the principles of free speech and human rights.

It urged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other law enforcement agencies to cautiously and democratically rely on Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 as Amended and/or charge anyone, including journalists, to court if they have violated any law of the land instead of depriving them of their constitutional right.

The House also resolved to pass laws to strengthen press freedom protections, conduct inquiries into recent cases of journalists detention, and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Hon. Clement Jimbo from Akwa-Ibom at plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Jimbo said freedom of the press is a fundamental right enshrined in Section 39 subsection (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which guarantees journalists the ability to report news without fear of arrest or persecution.

According to him, freedom of the press is a sine qua non of democracy, as it is an essential ingredient for holding government accountable and ensuring transparency, while journalism practice is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm.

Jimbo noted a troubling increase in the number of journalists unlawfully arrested, detained, and harassed for carrying out their professional duties, relying on the offence of Cyber-Stalking within the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.

He observed that in recent times, between 2015 and 2024, there has been ongoing unwarranted arrest, unlawful detention and several other forms of harassment and intimidation meted on at least 25 journalists in the course of their duty, which is threatening the very fundamental pillar of democracy, and culminating into a breach of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech.

„Acknowledges that earlier this year, 2024, the president signed the Amended Act with a substantial adjustment on section 24, which listed what constitutes cyber-stalking and provided the punishment for such. The law enforcement agents neglected this aspect and continued their clampdown on free speech. Regrettably, at least 10 Journalists have been arrested in the past year and 15 of them in the last regime.

„Concerned that apart from this arrest of Journalists and its consequences, it may lead to a worsening climate for investigative and independent journalism in the country‘s media space, and this fourth republic democracy will be impugned by her admirers due to the excesses of those perpetuating this act of arbitrary absolutism.

„Worried that the arrest in March 2024 of Mr. Ojukwu, in particular, was most disturbing as his commando-style arrest came barely 43 hours after this year‘s World Press Day. Actions like this have led to international opinion rating Nigeria as one of W/African‘s most dangerous places to practice by Reporters Without Borders (RSF),“ he argued.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated the committees on National Security for compliance.