Journalists in Nigeria have come together to accuse the military of usurping the role of the media and violating fundamental human rights of those in detention.
The claims were made at a joint meeting in Abuja of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the International Press Institute, IPI, following, the release of the editor of the online media outlet, FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, pictured. He had been detained for two weeks by the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, after being abducted from his home.
His detention came after FirstNews published a story headlined “Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business”.
Speaking at the meeting in Abuja, Mr Olatunji described his ordeal.
“One of the officers came and tightened the cuffs on my right hand and leg. I was there groaning in pain, and it was that way for three days. When they released it all, the right side of my body felt numb. They were asking me about certain stories that FirstNews had carried. One of them told me that I was one of those abusing the chief of defence intelligence,” he said.
“We are sure that many right-thinking members of society, including the international community, are both amazed and shocked by the lawlessness and fear-provoking action of the DIA,” said the IPI in a statement.
“The DIA’s action makes us wonder about its real intention. Our suspicion is that they planned to secretly eliminate Mr Olatunji so that members of the public could attribute his disappearance to unknown gunmen.
Direct attack on press freedom
“This vicious, uncivilised, unlawful and criminal action of the DIA is unacceptable. The action is alien to Nigeria’s democratic space. It is now clear that there are some officers in our military who are still finding it difficult to subject themselves to civil authority 24 years after our country returned to representative governance. By all standards, the actions of the DIA are against the provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and other international instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory – which forbid the detention of any citizen or resident beyond 48 hours, except with a valid court order.
“More so, the DIA’s action is a direct attack on press freedom. One of the core missions of the free press is to serve as a watchdog on power. The press, as we all know, is the connection between the people and the government. If the press is not allowed to carry out its social and constitutional responsibilities but instead obligated to power, it simply serves as an extension of power. Without freedom of the press, our democracy is endangered. In the case of corruption, a free press is critical to exposing abuses of power.”
Legal backing for the media
The case of Mr Olatunji’s detention comes soon after the Federal High Court ordered the Nigerian government to investigate attacks on reporters, prosecute perpetrators and ensure the safety of journalists.
The judge ruled that the Federal Government was liable for the actions and conduct of law enforcement, security, intelligence, military and other officials and agents that threaten, undermine or violate the rights and safety of journalists and other media practitioners.
In the case, the Media Rights Agenda organisation complained about the violation of the fundamental rights to life and freedom of expression of Nigerian journalists and media practitioners who were murdered in the line of duty, or under circumstances relating to the discharge of their duties as journalists, and the failure of the Federal Government to protect them, carry out effective investigation, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of the murders.
In his judgment, Justice Ekwo noted that given the special role that journalists play in the society, they ought to be protected and not put at risk. He accordingly declared the killing of the journalists as a violation of their fundamental right to life.
He agreed with the MRA’s claim that the killing of the journalists was a violation of their rights under Section 33’s right to life)of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4’s respect for life of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. Ekwo also found that the journalists’ deaths while fulfilling their duties was a violation of their freedom of expression and the press under section 39 of the Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter. He further declared that the government had violated Principle 20 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which ensures the safety of journalists and other media practitioners.
