The Nigerian Police Force from the Zone 2 Command in Lagos State has re-arrested a journalist and publisher of the online newspaper News Platform, Precious Eze, over a complaint from a prominent businessman and politician.
Eze was reportedly apprehended at his residence in Gbagada, Lagos, on May 27, 2024.
The journalist was arraigned before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court on Thursday, May 30, to seek a remand order, which resulted in a judicial rebuke of the police’s action when the magistrate dismissed the case, deeming it without merit and affirming that Eze had no case to answer.
They claimed that rather than grant Eze’s immediate release, the police returned him to custody and re-arraigned him before another magistrate on Friday, May 31, with the case adjourned to a future date in June.
His colleagues, under the umbrella of the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria, disclosed in a statement that they learned of his detention one week after it occurred and that attempts to secure his release on bail have been unsuccessful.
“This sequence of events is not just a personal ordeal for Precious Eze but a glaring assault on press freedom in Nigeria. The actions of the police, acting seemingly under the influence of a powerful individual, represent a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence the press. This undermines the very foundations of a democratic society, where journalists must be able to report freely and hold those in power accountable without fear of retribution,” the statement reads.
“The Nigerian Constitution (1999), the Evidence Act (2011), and the ethical codes of the Nigerian Press Council Act (1992) are clear in their support for journalistic freedom and the protection of sources. The prolonged detention and legal harassment of Precious Eze stand in stark contrast to these protections and serve as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities journalists face in Nigeria.
“As this case unfolds, it is imperative for the Nigerian judiciary to uphold the principles of justice and press freedom. The international community, press freedom advocates, and civil society must also remain vigilant and vocal in their support for Eze and all journalists facing similar threats.
“The detention of Precious Eze is not just an isolated incident; it is a bellwether of the broader struggle for freedom of expression in Nigeria. It is a call to action to safeguard the rights of journalists and, by extension, the right of the public to be informed.”
Eze’s colleagues also claimed that instead of releasing him immediately, the police returned him to custody and re-arraigned him before another magistrate on Friday, May 31, with the case adjourned until June.
