Press Release
The Coalition for Whistle blower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), on Monday condemned the continuous harassment and detention of a Journalist, Mr Agba Jalingo by Governor of Cross Rivers state, Mr Ben Ayade.
The Journalist who is the publisher of Cross River Watch was alleged to have become critical of the government of the state- an action which led to his arrest on the 26th of August in Lagos State after which he was moved to Cross River State and has since been charged with criminal offences.
Jalingo was arraigned at a Federal High Court in Calabar, on a four count charge bordering on “acts of treason, treasonable felony, and threats through various ‘malicious’ publications on crossriverwatch.com and social media, instigating the residents of the state to stage a protest for the removal of the Governor from office without due process.
The ‘action’ is said to be punishable under Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013 and Section 1(2) (a) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.”
Nigerian journalists should not be charged with any trumped-up criminal offences for holding the government accountable. This is a constitutionally conferred responsibility. Such actions are an absolute ridicule on the law and the freedom of expression, and the charges make absolute ridicule of the Nigerian Legal System.
The increasing attacks on journalists encroaches on the freedom of the press and it behoves the government and other stakeholders to conscientiously work towards laws and provisions that will guarantee the safety and security of journalists at the course of their duty and in holding the government accountable.
Failure to do this is a slight on any democratic society and a disservice to journalism, a profession that is fundamental to the sustenance of democracy.
The Coalition for Whistle blower Protection and Press Freedom calls on all relevant authorities to ensure justice is served in the case of Mr Agba Jalingo’s arrest and detention and anyone or group of persons found complicit be tried and brought to book.
The press attack tracker has recorded several cases of unlawful arrests and harassment of Journalists from Cross River State and four of these reports have been directly linked to Governor Ben Ayade. This reflects poorly on the state and its government.
CWPPF calls on the Commissioner of Police to intervene and see that this constant harassment of Journalists in Cross River State is curbed. Holding the government accountable cannot and should not be considered an act of treason.
SIGNED
Premium Times
Sahara Reporters
OrderPaper
The Cable
Daily Trust Newspaper
Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism
Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism
African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
Civic Media Lab
Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)
International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
International Press Centre (IPC)
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ)
Paradigm Initiative
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
HEDA Resources Centre.
