A roundtable discussion around the welfare of Nigerian journalists will hold in Abuja, Tuesday 28 August.
Event Organizers, the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and the Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), said in a release on Friday that a social media campaign with the same purpose will hold earlier on the day.
Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism in partnership with its strategic partner, Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), is conducting a social media campaign “Journalists Welfare Campaign” and a roundtable discussion for Journalists on the 28th August 2018 in Abuja Nigeria.
On Friday morning, the 17th of August 2018, Samuel Ogundipe, a Nigerian journalist detained since Tuesday the 14th of August was finally released after he met his bail conditions.
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) is relieved with the release of Samuel Ogundipe and the opportunity for him to reunite with his family, colleagues and the general public. However, we would like to bring it to your attention that Samuel Ogundipe should have never been arrested and kept in custody without contact with his lawyers.
The Coalition is happy that a part of the constitution has been respected but we call for the justice system to sanction the IG of police for his violation of the Nigerian constitution. The constitution also declares in chapter II section 39 subsection (1) of the 1999 constitution; Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. When the Nigerian Police coerced Samuel Ogundipe to reveal his sources they violated an essential part of the constitution.
The arrest of Samuel is unlawful, unwarranted and unjustifiable, and we, therefore, urge that all charges against him be dropped. In line with Section 35(6) of the constitution. We also hereby call on the government to make a public apology and pay him a compensation for the unwarranted violation of his rights, the damage to his business and losses arising therefrom, the disruption of his life, the physical and psychological trauma to which he has been subjected.
The coalition would like to bring to the attention of the general public to the importance of a free press in any democracy so that it may function and fulfil its constitutional duties. The coalition calls on the government to protect the press and not let its oppressors thrive in impunity.
Signed
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom
On Wednesday evening, the 15th of August 2018, Jones Abiri, a Nigerian journalist detained for over two years was released after he met his bail conditions.
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) is excited about the release of Jones Abiri and the long agitated opportunity for him to reunite with his family, colleagues and the general public. However, we would like to bring it to your attention that Jones Abiri should have never been arrested and kept in custody for two years without charges and without contact with his family.
It should be noted that the State Security Service and by implication the Federal Government violated the Sections 35, 36 and 39 of the Nigerian constitution and disregarded the rule of law in the manner it handled Jones Abiri’s case.
The two-year arrest is unlawful, unwarranted and unjustifiable, we urge that all charges against him be dropped. In line with Section 35(6) of the constitution, we hereby call on the government to make a public apology and pay him a compensation for the unwarranted violation of his rights, the damage to his business and losses arising therefrom, the disruption of his family life for two years, the physical and psychological trauma to which he has been subjected and the repercussions he will live with for the rest of his life.
The coalition would like to bring to the attention of the general public the importance of a free press in any democracy so that it may function and fulfil its constitutional duties. The coalition calls on the government to protect the press and not let its oppressors thrive in impunity.
The coalition in the same breathe calls for the immediate release of Premium Times journalist Samuel Ogundipe who has been kept in SARS custody and refused access to his lawyer. This violation of our democracy and our human rights must be addressed.
Signed
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom
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