The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners’ Forum has expressed deep concern over what it describes as a growing trend of harassment and intimidation against journalists in Nigeria.
In a strongly-worded statement issued yesterday, signed by its Chairman, Abdullahi Yelwa, (Ajiyan Yauri), the Forum condemned the actions of the Federal High Court in Bichi, Kano State, following a judgment against two respected journalists, Shu’aibu Mungadi, of Vision Media Services, and Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, of Liberty Radio/Television.
The judgment, secured by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has sparked outrage among media professionals, who view it as a direct attack on press freedom.
According to the Forum, the court’s ruling contradicts Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which respectively empower the media to hold public officials accountable and guarantee freedom of expression.
Chairman of the Forum, Abdullahi Yelwa, said the Minister’s actions are a blatant attempt to silence journalists and prevent them from performing their constitutionally sanctioned duties. He said, “We are deeply pained by the Minister’s actions, which aim to gag the press and prevent journalists from performing their professional duties.
“We find it curious that the Minister has maliciously singled-out these two highly respected journalists for persecution on a matter that has been in the domain of public commentary and analysis for years”.
“It is disheartening to see that individuals who are supposed to uphold the law are now using it as a tool to suppress the truth”, the statement read.
The statement further criticized the alleged targeting of Mungadi and Ramalan, who are well-known for their investigative reporting. The Forum suggested that the court case is linked to the journalists’ efforts to expose alleged corruption during Matawalle’s tenure as the former Governor of Zamfara State.
The Forum, in the statement, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the court order. The group emphasized the need for a review of the case in order to ensure judicial impartiality and protect the integrity of the Judiciary from allegations of bias.
It said the outcome of this case could have significant implications for press freedom and the rule of law in the country.
The Forum also urged the Minister of Information and National Orientation to step-in and ensure that the rights of journalists are upheld, stressing that a free press is vital to the nation’s democracy.
“As media practitioners, we are committed to carrying out our duties in line with the law and global best practices. However, we will not be silenced by intimidation. The Government must act swiftly to protect press freedom and prevent a dangerous precedent from being set”, Yelwa affirmed..
The Forum warned that allowing the harassment of journalists to go unchecked could erode public trust in democratic institutions. The statement concluded with a firm demand for immediate action to protect journalists from harassment, ensuring they can operate freely and without fear of retaliation.
The developments in Kano come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with issues of governance, transparency, and the role of the press in holding public officials accountable.
This incident highlights the increasing challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, where freedom of the press is constitutionally guaranteed but frequently threatened.
