Nume Ekeghe
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged assault of Pinnacle Daily Editor, Sunday Michael Ogwu, by police officers during a demolition exercise in Lugbe, Abuja.
The coalition, in a statement issued Thursday, demanded disciplinary action against the officers and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) allegedly involved in the incident.
It also called on the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command to compensate Ogwu for his damaged mobile phone, settle medical expenses arising from the assault and issue a public apology to the journalist and Pinnacle Daily.
According to CWPPF, Ogwu was at the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate on Wednesday, August 19, when he encountered a demolition operation involving police officers and VGN personnel. The coalition said he attempted to document the exercise with his phone after which an officer allegedly seized the device.
It said Ogwu identified himself as a journalist but was ordered to enter a police vehicle. His refusal allegedly led to an assault with an electric cable.
CWPPF said the journalist was later allowed to leave but was pursued and allegedly assaulted again after he began recording the incident and sending a distress message to his organisation.
The coalition said the attack left Ogwu injured and damaged his phone.
Reacting to the incident, CWPPF said the conduct of the officers was unacceptable, particularly because Ogwu was carrying out a journalistic function in a public space.
They stated, “CWPPF finds the unprovoked brutality and lawlessness of operatives of the Lugbe Police Division deeply unsettling and unacceptable. Documenting public operations conducted by state agents is a constitutionally protected right, not a criminal offence. It is therefore worrisome that police officers, duty-bound to enforce law and order, would resort to using electric cables to torture a journalist for performing his civic and professional duties.
“This unlawful attack on Mr. Ogwu by the police officers severely damages Nigeria’s standing on the global press freedom index and contradicts public assurances by police leadership regarding respect for human rights and press freedom.
“We reiterate firmly that journalism is not a crime and that the duty of the press to hold public institutions accountable is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. We, therefore, call on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command to order an immediate transparent investigation into the incident to identify, arrest, and discipline the police officers and VGN personnel involved in the assault on Sunday Michael Ogwu.
“Provide full compensation to Mr. Ogwu for his damaged mobile phone and cover all medical expenses incurred due to the physical assault. Issue a formal public apology to Sunday Michael Ogwu and the management of Pinnacle Daily for the unlawful attack and destruction of property and direct all police divisions across the FCT to immediately cease the intimidation, harassment, and physical assault of journalists covering public events.”