- By Demola Atobaba
The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub condemns the intimidation, harassment and detention of Azuka Ogujiuba, Publisher of Media Room Hub and a former journalist with This Day Newspapers by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Information reaching SPJ-Hub confirmed that Azuka Ogujiuba was arrested and detained on two occasions over her coverage of a court case involving a land dispute. Despite being based in Lagos, she has been repeatedly summoned to Abuja.
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement made available to TopNews in Ado-Ekiti said, “these actions of intimidation, harassment and detention is highly condemnable and the Police alongside the Federal Government must uphold their responsibility to respect everyone’s right to freedom of expression. The Police must desist from being used to constantly punish journalists who carry out their duties.”
“If the Police has anything against Azuka Ogujiuba or if she has committed any crime, the right and lawful step should be taken, not subjecting her to constant harassment,” Arogundade further stated.
SPJ-Hub reinforces the need to safeguard press freedom and put a stop to all forms of harassment and intimidation against journalists.
SPJ-Hub is therefore calling on the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to stop all form of intimidation and harassment on Azuka Ogujiuba and guarantee her safety.
