The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have strongly condemned the persistent harassment of journalists by the police using the Cybercrime Act. This condemnation follows the arrest of Precious Eze, a journalist and publisher of News Platform, by officers from the Zone 2 Command in Lagos State.
Eze was reportedly arrested at his home in Gbagada, Lagos, on May 27, 2024. According to a statement by his colleagues, his arrest was allegedly instigated by a complaint from a prominent businessman and politician. His detention, which extended beyond the constitutionally allowed 24 hours, prompted an outcry from various media and legal professionals.
Eze Anaba, President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, criticized the police for misusing the Cybercrime Act to intimidate journalists, emphasizing that detaining individuals beyond 24 hours is unconstitutional. He stated, “Journalists are now being terrorised by law enforcement agents using the Cybercrime Act. That is unconstitutional. The constitution says nobody should be detained for more than 24 hours. The police are increasingly violating this provision of the constitution.”
Anaba further highlighted that the police should focus on more pressing issues rather than targeting journalists, citing an instance involving a Premium Times reporter who was harassed by the police following a call to a person implicated in a story.
Chief Yomi Aliyu, SAN, condemned the arrest and urged Eze’s media house to contact the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Aliyu stressed that the fundamental human rights of citizens, including journalists, should override police powers under any law. “There is a right to freedom of expression and journalism is a right that is recognised throughout the world,” he said.
Another senior lawyer, Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN), echoed these sentiments, condemning the police’s abuse of their statutory powers and asserting that such actions should not be encouraged.
The collective response from the NGE and SANs underscores a growing concern over the misuse of legal provisions to stifle press freedom and the need to uphold constitutional rights in Nigeria.
