Police Detain Journalist For coverage On Lagos Businessman

Police Detain Journalist For coverage On Lagos Businessman....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Police Force under the Zone 2 Command in Lagos State has detained Precious Eze, a journalist and publisher of the online platform News Platform, following his report on a prominent businessman and politician in Lagos……….. CONTINUE READING 

Eze was apprehended at his residence in Gbagada, Lagos, on May 27, 2024, by police officers.

According to statements from colleagues within the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria, Eze’s arrest stemmed from a complaint lodged by the businessman and politician. Despite attempts by colleagues to secure his release on bail, Eze remained in custody for a week.

After being arraigned before the Ebute Meta Magistrate Court on May 30, the case was dismissed, with the magistrate ruling that Eze had no case to answer. However, instead of releasing Eze, the police re-arraigned him before another magistrate on May 31, with the case adjourned to a later date in June.

This incident has sparked concerns about press freedom in Nigeria, with many viewing it as an attempt to intimidate journalists and stifle investigative reporting.

The prolonged detention and legal proceedings against Eze are seen as a violation of journalistic freedom and a stark contrast to constitutional protections and ethical codes supporting press freedom in Nigeria.

As the case unfolds, there are calls for the Nigerian judiciary to uphold justice and press freedom. The international community, press freedom advocates, and civil society are urged to support Eze and other journalists facing similar threats.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Zone 2 Police Command, Ayuba Umma, neither confirmed nor denied the arrest, promising to provide further information after an inquiry.

This incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of journalists in Nigeria, highlighting the challenges they face in carrying out their duties without fear of reprisal.