IPI Nigeria condemns police harassment of journalist

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has strongly condemned the police harassment of journalist Azuka Ogujiuba while she was reporting on a court case involving a land dispute. Despite Ogujiuba carrying out her professional duty, the police resorted to intimidation, unlawful detention, and repeated summons in Abuja, where she was not based.

The IPI Nigeria stated that these actions amount to blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist performing a lawful duty, which undermines press freedom and erodes public confidence in the rule of law. The IPI Nigeria demanded that the Police Commissioner, Kayode Egbetokun, immediately order his officers to desist from harassing Ogujiuba and ensure that any allegations against her are pursued through due process.

The IPI Nigeria emphasized that journalists must be able to cover matters of legitimate public interest without fear of arrest, detention, or reprisal, as this is crucial for democracy and public trust in institutions. The IPI Nigeria called on the.