13 hours Ago By Emmanuel Abiodun
On International Human Rights Day, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) jointly urged Nigerian authorities to cease using repressive laws to intimidate journalists, critics, and media organizations. The groups condemned the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) codes, and other legislation aimed at stifling free expression, warning that press freedom in Nigeria remains under severe threat despite 25 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. SERAP and NGE cited alarming data from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), revealing that 110 verified press attacks were recorded in 2024 alone, surpassing the total attacks in 2023 within just nine months.
The attacks, perpetrated by state actors, security operatives, and private individuals, involved physical assaults, unlawful arrests, cyberbullying, and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). In Lagos, police harassed News Central TV journalists covering protests at the Lekki toll gate. In Abuja, photojournalists from the Daily Independent and Punch newspapers were arrested during protests.
In Kano, a Channels TV bus carrying journalists was attacked by unknown assailants. In Borno, armed police officers raided Radio Ndarason Internationale, detaining nine staff members. The groups expressed deep concern over the government’s disregard for constitutional rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and media freedom guaranteed under Section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and international treaties such as the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and NGE Secretary Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren emphasized that impunity for violations against journalists encourages further repression and undermines critical reporting. ALSO READ : SERAP demands Tinubu expose contractors over N167bn scandal in 31 MDAs They pointed out that journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and activists continue to face harassment and intimidation for simply doing their work, with many facing arbitrary detentions and frivolous lawsuits.
The statement also highlighted the growing use of surveillance technology and online smear campaigns as tools for state and non-state actors to target media professionals. The groups made several demands for immediate action by the Nigerian government to protect media freedom and uphold human rights. They called on Nigerian authorities at all levels to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and activists detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights and legitimate work, including activist Dele Farotimi, who faces criminal defamation and cybercrime charges.
They also urged President Bola Tinubu and his government to publicly call on Nigeria’s state governors, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure full respect for the rights of journalists, bloggers, and human rights defenders across the country. Additionally, they demanded prompt, thorough, and transparent investigations into all allegations of human rights violations against these groups and accountability for those responsible. The statement called for the review of laws such as the Official Secrets Act , Criminal Code Act , and Cybercrime Act , urging amendments in line with international human rights standards like the Windhoek Declaration to promote a free, independent, and pluralistic press.
ALSO READ : Human Rights Day: NGE and SERAP condemn growing violations of media freedom The groups also urged for the review and revision of restrictive legislation that hinders the right to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom in the country. SERAP and NGE further emphasized the need for a strong, independent regulatory framework, encouraging the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to cease its arbitrary fines and sanctions against media houses, and to review its codes to ensure they align with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards. They also called on the National Assembly to harmonize laws related to freedom of expression and media freedom and ensure a specific independent agency oversees the usage of citizens’ personal information, prioritizing fundamental human rights.
The groups called on the international community to hold Nigerian authorities accountable for their violations of human rights, urging them to press for the immediate release of those detained for peacefully exercising their rights and the withdrawal of charges against them. They encouraged the international community to continue to support Nigeria in upholding its constitutional and international human rights obligations, particularly in safeguarding the freedom of expression, media freedom, and access to information both online and offline..
