The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, has called on the Inspector
General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, not to allow politicians use him
and the force against journalists in the country.
General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, not to allow politicians use him
and the force against journalists in the country.
The NUJ, in a statement Tuesday in Abuja, observed that it is becoming the
norm for politicians who feel slighted or offended by reports of
journalists to resort to petitioning the office of the IGP, who then
invites and in some instances, detain such journalists.
norm for politicians who feel slighted or offended by reports of
journalists to resort to petitioning the office of the IGP, who then
invites and in some instances, detain such journalists.
In the statement signed by the chairman of Council, Comrade Chuks Ehirim,
he stated that there were sufficient laws to deal with issues of libel and
slander, and urged the IGP to advise such persons to proceed to court.
he stated that there were sufficient laws to deal with issues of libel and
slander, and urged the IGP to advise such persons to proceed to court.
“There is a dangerous trend which if not checked now would infringe
seriously on the practice of journalism in this country. And that is the
fact that politicians and other ‘big men’ in the country now resort to
petitioning the office of the IGP over stories by journalists they feel
uncomfortable about.
seriously on the practice of journalism in this country. And that is the
fact that politicians and other ‘big men’ in the country now resort to
petitioning the office of the IGP over stories by journalists they feel
uncomfortable about.
“Over the past three months, we have had cases of journalists being
invited for questioning based on petitions by some politicians and ‘big
men.’ This country is not in want of laws to tackle issues bordering on
libel and slander.
invited for questioning based on petitions by some politicians and ‘big
men.’ This country is not in want of laws to tackle issues bordering on
libel and slander.
“If any of these persons feel they have been libeled or slandered, they
should proceed to court and stop using the police to harass journalists in
the course of their jobs. We wish to remind the police and these persons
that the constitution guarantees the media to hold government and its
officials accountable to the Nigeria people and this, I strongly believe,
the media would not shirk away from,” the statement said.
should proceed to court and stop using the police to harass journalists in
the course of their jobs. We wish to remind the police and these persons
that the constitution guarantees the media to hold government and its
officials accountable to the Nigeria people and this, I strongly believe,
the media would not shirk away from,” the statement said.
The NUJ’s position is coming on the heels of the detention of the
publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Power Steering magazine, Mr. Tom Oga Uhia by
the police in Abuja on Tuesday.
publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Power Steering magazine, Mr. Tom Oga Uhia by
the police in Abuja on Tuesday.
Uhia was detained after honouring an invitation by the IGP based on a
petition by Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.
petition by Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.
Suswam had dragged the publisher alongside the main challenger in the 2011
governorship election, Prof. Steve Ugbah before a Makurdi High Court over
allegations of certificate forgery.
governorship election, Prof. Steve Ugbah before a Makurdi High Court over
allegations of certificate forgery.
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