By Adenike Ayodele
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Wednesday urged the Nigerian authorities to release all persons detained for peaceful expression, in celebration of the 2025 International Human Rights Day.
They also urged the authorities to end intimidation and harassment of journalists.
SERAP and NGE jointly addressed a news conference in Ikeja to mark the International Human Rights Day.
The General Secretary of NGE, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, and SERAP’s Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, addressed the conference.
SERAP and NGE addressed the conference after hosting an interactive session on ‘Practical Strategies, Legal Tools and Collaborative Approaches to Address the Increasing Threats to Civic Space and Media Independence in Nigeria’.
The groups said there was increase in the rate of attacks on media professionals, adding that 56 journalists were assaulted and arrested in August 2024 alone while covering demonstrations across Nigeria.
They said that Nigeria dropped 10 places to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.
They also appealed to Nigerian authorities to end use of repressive laws, including the Cybercrimes Act, criminal and penal codes to target journalists and critics.
According to the group, using repressive laws and Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) to intimidate journalists erodes democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
They said that such an action was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
“Criminal defamation and SLAPP lawsuits are neither necessary nor proportionate.
“According to the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), there were 110 verified attacks on journalists in 2024.
“There have been several recent arrests, including that of investigative journalist Fejiro Oliver detained since September on cyberbullying charges; Media Room Hub publisher Azuka Ogujiuba arrested twice in August; and FIJ reporter Sodeeq Atanda held in Ekiti State over allegations of cyberbullying and criminal defamation,” the groups said.
SERAP and NGE cited a pending lawsuit at the ECOWAS Court challenging provisions of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, 2024, urgng that security agencies should not rely on the law to silence dissent pending the court’s decision. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)