Police detain journalist over report on Lagos businessman
Men from the Nigerian Police Force's Zone 2 Command in Lagos State have detained Precious Eze, a journalist and News Platform publisher.On May 27, 2024, police allegedly arrested the online newspaper's publisher at his house in Gbagada, Lagos.
According to the journalist's colleagues, his arrest was the result of a complaint filed by a famous businessman and politician.
According to the statement, Eze's colleagues, who are members of the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria, learned about his detention after he had been jailed for one week, and attempts to gain his release on bond were unsuccessful.
According to them, Eze was arraigned before the Ebute Meta Magistrate Court on Thursday, May 30, to get a remand order, which ended in a judicial rebuke of the police's actions when the magistrate dismissed the case, ruling it without merit and declaring that Eze had no cause to answer.
They alleged that rather than releasing Eze immediately, the police returned him to detention and re-arraigned him before another magistrate on Friday, May 31, with the matter rescheduled to a later date in June.
The statement added, "This sequence of events is not only a personal ordeal for Precious Eze, but also a blatant attack on press freedom in Nigeria." The conduct of the police, appearing to be influenced by a strong individual, represent a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence the press. This undermines the very foundations of a democratic society, where journalists must be able to report freely and hold those in power accountable without fear of retribution.
They alleged that rather than releasing Eze immediately, the police returned him to detention and re-arraigned him before another magistrate on Friday, May 31, with the matter rescheduled to a later date in June.
The statement added, "This sequence of events is not only a personal ordeal for Precious Eze, but also a blatant attack on press freedom in Nigeria." The conduct of the police, appearing to be influenced by a strong individual, represent a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence the press. This undermines the very foundations of a democratic society, where journalists must be able to report freely and hold those in power accountable without fear of retribution.
"The Nigerian Constitution (1999), the Evidence Act (2011), and the ethical rules of the Nigerian Press Council Act (1992) all express a strong commitment to journalistic independence and source security. Precious Eze's extended detention and legal harassment stand in stark contrast to these safeguards, serving as a disturbing reminder of the threats journalists confront in Nigeria.
As the case unfolds, the Nigerian judiciary must defend the values of justice and press freedom. The international community, press freedom supporters, and civil society must all stay alert and vociferous in their support for Eze and other journalists who face similar dangers.
"Precious Eze's detention is more than simply an isolated occurrence; it is a harbinger of Nigeria's greater struggle for free expression. It is a call to action to protect journalists' rights, and by extension, the public's right to know."
When reached, the Zone 2 Police Command spokeswoman, Ayuba Umma, did not confirm or deny the arrest.
"Precious Eze's detention is more than simply an isolated occurrence; it is a harbinger of Nigeria's greater struggle for free expression. It is a call to action to protect journalists' rights, and by extension, the public's right to know."
When reached, the Zone 2 Police Command spokeswoman, Ayuba Umma, did not confirm or deny the arrest.
The police representative stated she would look into the situation and get back to our correspondent.
"I will find out from the investigation team and get back to you," she informed our reporter on Thursday morning.
The Nigerianwatch revealed in an article on May 6, 2024, how the surge of abductions and arrests of journalists has become a source of anxiety for media professionals, who now have to worry about their safety while performing their professions. The fears extend not only to journalists, editors, and other media professionals, but also to their families and friends, who are concerned about their loved ones' safety and freedom.
Given the military's abduction of First News Editor Segun Olatunji from his Lagos home on March 15, 2024, and the recent arrest of Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism on the streets of Lagos, media professionals find themselves in a dire situation reminiscent of Nigeria's junta era.
"I will find out from the investigation team and get back to you," she informed our reporter on Thursday morning.
The Nigerianwatch revealed in an article on May 6, 2024, how the surge of abductions and arrests of journalists has become a source of anxiety for media professionals, who now have to worry about their safety while performing their professions. The fears extend not only to journalists, editors, and other media professionals, but also to their families and friends, who are concerned about their loved ones' safety and freedom.
Given the military's abduction of First News Editor Segun Olatunji from his Lagos home on March 15, 2024, and the recent arrest of Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism on the streets of Lagos, media professionals find themselves in a dire situation reminiscent of Nigeria's junta era.
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