MRA Urges FG To Close Illegal Arrest Of Journalists By Police, Others

The Incident: Abduction of a Journalist Without Legal Basis

On May 22, 2024, at approximately 6:00 pm, ten heavily armed police officers stormed the home of Mr. Madu Onuorah in Lugbe, Abuja. Arriving in two Sienna buses, the officers forcibly arrested him in front of his wife and children without presenting any warrant or explaining the reason for the arrest. His phones were seized, preventing him from contacting family, friends, or legal counsel. Initially detained at the Lugbe Police Station, Mr. Onuorah was subsequently transferred to Enugu State.

The Enugu State Police, through Assistant Superintendent of Police Daniel Ndukwe, claimed the arrest followed a written petition alleging defamation of a US-based Reverend Sister and that efforts had been made to formally invite Mr. Onuorah for questioning but failed. However, the Media Rights Agenda strongly disputes this narrative, stating no formal invitation was ever issued. They condemned the deployment of police operatives from Enugu and Ebonyi States to Abuja to abduct a journalist, describing it as a gross misuse of public resources and an unjustified escalation of what should be a civil matter.

Media Rights Agenda’s Condemnation and Concerns

Ms. Esther Adeniyi, Programme Officer at MRA, described the police’s actions as appalling and unacceptable, emphasizing that such conduct violates constitutionally guaranteed rights. She highlighted that the Nigerian Police have increasingly acted as instruments for powerful individuals and organizations seeking to silence critical journalism and punish journalists for their reporting.

The MRA criticized the diversion of public resources—human, material, and financial—towards pursuing journalists over what should be civil disputes, rather than focusing on pressing security challenges such as the rising violent crimes across Nigeria, particularly in the South East region.

Ms. Adeniyi also pointed out the outdated nature of criminal defamation laws in Nigeria, which are inconsistent with both local and international standards protecting freedom of expression. She urged Nigeria to abandon these antiquated laws that stifle media freedom and to embrace legal frameworks aligned with modern human rights principles. She further noted that the alleged complainant, a Reverend Sister based in the United States, would unlikely pursue legal action in Nigeria if the matter were genuine, suggesting potential abuse of the police system for personal vendettas.

Implications for Press Freedom and Public Security

The abduction of Mr. Onuorah exemplifies a disturbing pattern of harassment and intimidation of journalists by Nigerian security agencies. Such practices undermine the independence of the press and threaten the democratic principle of holding power accountable.

By prioritizing the persecution of journalists over addressing critical security issues, the police risk eroding public trust and compromising their primary mandate to protect citizens. The MRA warns that this misallocation of resources contributes to worsening insecurity nationwide, as law enforcement agencies divert attention from combating violent crimes and other pressing threats.

Moreover, the practice of detaining journalists incommunicado, often without warrants or formal charges, raises serious human rights concerns. It reflects a disregard for due process and the rule of law, further exacerbating tensions between the media and law enforcement agencies. Such Gestapo-style tactics damage Nigeria’s international reputation and weaken democratic governance.

Calls for Government Action and Legal Reform

The Media Rights Agenda has urged the Federal Executive, including the Minister of Justice and the Inspector-General of Police, to take decisive steps to end the culture of impunity that enables illegal arrests and intimidation of journalists.

They call for accountability measures against those responsible for unlawful detentions and for the protection of constitutionally guaranteed rights. The MRA stresses that public resources should not be wasted on suppressing critical voices but rather directed towards enhancing national security and public welfare.

Additionally, the MRA advocates for the repeal or reform of criminal defamation laws in Nigeria to align with international human rights standards, fostering a legal environment that safeguards freedom of expression and supports a vibrant, independent media.

Such reforms would not only protect journalists but also strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and improve public confidence in law enforcement, contributing to national stability and security.

What this means

The unlawful arrest of Mr. Madu Onuorah by Nigerian police underscores the urgent challenges facing press freedom and the rule of law in the country. As the Media Rights Agenda has emphasized, the continued harassment of journalists not only violates constitutional protections but also undermines public security by diverting police resources from critical duties. To safeguard democracy and human rights, the Nigerian government must act swiftly to halt these illegal practices, hold perpetrators accountable, and reform defamation laws to reflect modern standards of free expression. Only through such measures can Nigeria ensure a free, independent media that serves the public interest and contributes to national stability.