The House of Representatives has resolved to conduct investigation into recent cases of unlawful arrest and detention of journalists.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary on Thursday by Hon. Clement Jimbo.
The House also resolved to pass laws to strengthen press freedom protection, as well as conduct inquiries into recent cases of journalists’ detention, and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker 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.
He added that freedom of the press is sine qua non of democracy, saying it serves as an essential ingredient for holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency.
Jimbo stressed that there has been a troubling increase in the number of journalists being 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 had been incessant 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.
Jimbo acknowledged 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.
He added that the law enforcement agents neglected this aspect and continued their clampdown on free speech.
According to him, Regrettably, at least 10 Journalists have been arrested in the past one year and 15 of them in the last regime.
Jimbo expressed concern that apart from this arrest of journalists and its consequences, it might lead to a worsening climate for investigative and independent journalism in the country’s media space, and this fourth republic democracy would be impugned by her admirers due to the excesses of those perpetuating this act of arbitrary absolutism.
The lawmaker expressed worry 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.
He said actions like this has led to international opinion rating Nigeria as one of West African’s most dangerous places to practice by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The House resolved to send a very strong warning to perpetrators of this unwholesomeness act and make it abundantly clear, that protecting the rights of journalists is not only important for upholding democracy but also for safeguarding the principles of free speech and human rights.
It urged the, “Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agencies to cautiously and democratically rely on Section 24 of 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.
“Also urge this House to pass laws to strengthen press freedom protections, as well as conduct inquiries into recent cases of journalist detention, and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.”