IPI NIGERIA Demands Release of Abducted FIJ Journalist, DANIEL OJUKWU
… Threatens to brand IGP Egbetokun As ‘Enemy of media’
The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has demanded for immediate release of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
According to reports, Ojukwu was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police and is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos.
IPI NIGERIA in a statement jointly signed by its President,Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi strongly condemned the abduction.
The statement read in part: “Coming at about the period the world is celebrating the freedom of the press, the action of the Nigeria Police Force speaks volumes of the attitude and commitment of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to the freedom of the press.
“Some weeks ago, the Nigerian military abducted a journalist, Mr Segun Olatunji, in a Gestapo manner in Lagos and flew him to Abuja under humiliating conditions in apparent violation of his rights to dignity and expression.
“With the two incidents cited above, a pattern has emerged that points to the fact that the administration of President Bola Tinubu does not only condone repression of freedom of the press but also encourage it, in contradiction of promises made during the president’s inaugural speech that his administration would uphold fundamental human rights.”
According to them, We have always stated, and it bears repeating that in a democratic setting, the proper step to take is to follow due process in seeking remedies against journalists.
They described the action as an abuse of his powers and office for the Inspector General of Police to order the abduction of a journalist just because he is the overall head of the Nigeria Police Force.
IPI Nigeria threatened to include IGP Kayode Egbetokun in the Institute’s book of infamy and branded an enemy of the media and journalists, if he fails to release Ojukwu. Noting that his inclusion on the list carries serious consequences beyond the shores of Nigeria.