Nigerian journalist Ime Sunday Silas held since August on cybercrime charge
Abuja, September 16, 2020 – Nigerian authorities should immediately release journalist Ime Sunday Silas, drop the charges against him, and reform the country’s cybercrime act to ensure it is not used against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 17, police in Uyo city, the capital of Nigeria’s southern Akwa-Ibom state,…
CPJ joins call to revise Nigeria’s draft data protection bill
The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined Paradigm Initiative, a Nigeria-based digital rights group, and the NetRights Coalition of over 100 global civil society groups to submit comments on Nigeria’s draft data protection bill, which is undergoing a public consultation process. The submission said that the bill should “protect those fulfilling their duty as journalists”…
Nigerian court acquits journalists arrested amid #RevolutionNow protests
Abuja, August 25, 2020 — A magistrate court in Nigeria’s southern Cross River State today acquitted Cross River Watch news editor Jonathan Ugbal and managing editor Jeremiah Archibong on charges of unlawful assembly and breach of peace stemming from their 2019 protest coverage, according to news reports and Ugbal, who spoke to CPJ via messaging…
Nigerian journalist Sikiru Obarayese attacked by police while covering COVID-19 lockdown
Abuja, August 11, 2020 – Nigerian authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent attack on journalist Sikiru Obarayese and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 3, at least four police officers slapped, kicked, and used their batons to beat Obarayese, a correspondent for the privately owned Daily Post…
Nigerian journalist Ike-Jacobs Nwosu beaten at Imo state legislature
Abuja, June 30, 2020 – Nigerian authorities should investigate the attack on journalist Ike-Jacobs Nwosu and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 15, Uche Ogbuagu, a legislator in Nigeria’s southeastern Imo state, approached Nwosu, a reporter for the privately owned Eastern Lead Express newspaper, while he was…
Nigerian journalist held under cybercrime act for COVID-19 coverage
Abuja, June 10, 2020 – Nigerian authorities should immediately release journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, drop all charges against him, and reform the country’s cybercrime act to ensure it is not used to prosecute the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 4, officers with Nigeria’s Department of State Services detained Onitsha, founder…
Nigerian journalist in hiding after police arrest and question 5 reporters about his whereabouts
Abuja, June 9, 2020 — Authorities in Nigeria should publicly disclose why they are seeking journalist Cletus Opukeme, and should not harass reporters over their professional connections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 3 p.m. on May 28, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ office in Warri, a city in southern Delta…
Nigerian journalist Kufre Carter detained for 1 month, charged with defamation and conspiracy
Abuja, May 28, 2020 — Nigerian authorities should drop all charges against journalist Kufre Carter and ensure that the press is not harassed by the country’s security forces, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 27, in the southern city of Uyo, officers with Nigeria’s Department of State Services arrested Carter, a presenter…
Nigerian journalist detained by security forces, interrogated over sources
Abuja, May 19, 2020 — Nigerian authorities should cease their intimidation of journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha and ensure that security forces permit the press to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Nigerian police arrest, detain 2 journalists in Ebonyi state
[Editors’ Note: This article has been changed in its headline and fifth paragraph to reflect the Ebonyi governor’s more recent statements.] Abuja, April 24, 2020 — Authorities in Nigeria should stop harassing journalists Peter Okutu and Chijioke Agwu, and must cease using COVID-19-related laws to stifle the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.