Nigeria: Journalists arrested; two broadcasters silenced

Expression

Two broadcasters silenced

On 3rd September 2023, two media broadcast channels, Radio Raypower FM and Africa Independent Television, both part of DAAR Communications, were shut down in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Telecommunications engineers, contracted by local authorities, went to their offices and dismantled their transmitter mast. Bulldozers subsequently demolished their transmitter complex.

Since September 2022, the land on which the transmitter was built has been under dispute in court between DAAR Communications and the Rivers State government. Although the court had not yet ruled on the case, the Rivers State authorities issued an order, on 20th March 2023, to vacate the land and dismantle the complex within 48 hours.

Reporters without Borders criticised the local authorities, urging them to allow the media outlets to continue operating. ActionAid international also condemned the shut down as unjust and draconian.

Journalists arrested, charged

On 10th October 2023, police officers arrested journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, founder of broadcaster NAIJA Live TV, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He was arrested at the residence of a friend, who was forced at gunpoint by police officers to summon Onitsha. The journalist was held at Yenagoa’s Criminal Investigations Department before he was transferred to police headquarters in Abuja. On 17th October 2023, Onitsha was charged with cyberstalking under the Cybercrimes Act, defamation and the publication of defamatory matter under the Criminal Code Act. According to the charge sheet, reviewed by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the charges relate to reports on 8th and 9th September 2023 alleging that a man had been killed by security guards when attempting to enter the offices of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) in Abuja to submit documents after some beneficiaries – who receive a monthly stipend for laying down arms - were delisted.

In another development, on 11th September 2023, police officers detained journalists Aiyelabegan Babatunde AbdulRazaq and Oluwatoyin Luqman Bolakale, publishers for independent news websites Just Event Online and The Satcom Media respectively, in Kwara State. Two days later, on 13th September 2023, both journalists were charged with cyberstalking under the Cybercrimes Act, which is punishable with a prison sentence up to three years and a fine of up to seven million naira (approximately 8,876 USD), and conspiracy.

According to CPJ, who reviewed the charge sheet, the charges relate to reports published alleging abuse of office by Jumoke Monsura Gafar, a former principal private secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Both media outlets reportedly published articles retracting their original report. The two journalists told CPJ that they were questioned over the sources of their original report, a press release from a political lobby group which they cited, but were unable to give contact details of the signatory of the press release.

On 20th September 2023, the journalists were granted bail.

Journalists attacked

On 14th August 2023, unidentified men assaulted a group of journalists while they were covering the aftermath of clashes between some youth members and chiefs of the Opu Nembe community, Bayelsa State. Police escorted the group up to a point, when they left for another assignment. Some of the journalists were robbed or had their equipment stolen. Miebi Binafiai, a camera operator for Television Continental, told CPJ that one of the perpetrators pointed an AK-47 gun at him, stripped him of his shirt and pants, used those to tie his hands and legs, and kicked and punched him. The ordeal ended when police officers returned after 20 minutes, alerted by some of the fleeing journalists, and dispersed the crowd with tear gas and shots in the air.

Peaceful Assembly

At least 15 remain imprisoned three years after #EndSARS protests crackdown

According to a recent Amnesty International report, at least 15 protesters remain arbitrarily detained in Lagos, the majority without trial, three years after the violent crackdown on the #EndSARS protests against police brutality of October 2020. The human rights group further said that many of them face trumped-up charges, such as theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms and murder. Some among them have claimed they have been subjected to torture.

Two arrested, excessive force at student protest against increase in university fees

According to media reports, police officers disrupted a student protest on 6th September 2023 at the University of Lagos (UNILA) and used tear gas to disperse student protesters. That day, members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) protested against an increase in university fees. NANS had reportedly informed the police of the planned protest. At least two protesters were arrested and later released.

Labour unions strike over revoked fuel subsidies

In September 2023, labour unions in Nigeria organised a series of strikes over the removal of subsidies for petrol, which had increased the cost of living. Workers walked out of their jobs in solidarity strikes, as transportation costs in the country soared. The strike was supported by a national platform of civil society organisations - the United Action Front of Civil Society.

Association

In September 2023, according to media reports, the Human Rights Defenders Network of Nigeria called on the executive and legislative branches of the government to implement the necessary protections and mechanisms that would allow HRDs to conduct their activism work safely and unhindered. The Network asserted that the government is falling short in its commitments to protect human rights and human rights defenders.