The leadership of the apex socio-political youths organisation in Igbo land, the Coalition of South-East Youths Leaders, on Wednesday, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Muhammed Adamu, to as a matter of urgency, redeploy the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Awosola Awotinde, over alleged incessant attacks, arrests, and intimidation of journalists in the state, pointing out that the Police were being used by politicians to muzzle up Journalists and press freedom, in the state.
According to the Igbo youth group, journalists world over were respected and protected in the course of their watchdog role in the society, adding that the Police in Ebonyi State, rendered themselves as a veritable tool for the alleged onslaught being unleashed on journalists, in the state.
While decrying the alleged constant illegal arrests and intimidation of pressmen in the state, the Coalition stressed that it would no longer fold its hands and watched such dehumanisation and harassment meted towards journalists in any part of the South-East geo-political zone.
The Igbo youth Coalition stated this in a statement signed by its President-General, Chief Goodluck Ibem and Secretary-General, Mr Kanice Igwe, which was made available to journalists, on Thursday,
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The statement read in part, “We the coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex socio-political group in the South-East zone condemns in strongest terms the unlawful and unconstitutional arrest and detention of Vanguard Reporter in Ebonyi State, Mr. Peter Okutu by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ebonyi State Command on the orders of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area Chairman, Mr Clement Odah at Woodberry Hotel, Abakaliki, over a report he did about military invasion of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community, in Ohaukwu Council, of Ebonyi State.
“Mr Okutu had gone to the hotel with his colleague, The PUNCH Newspapers Correspondent in Ebonyi State, Mr Edward Nnachi, to meet with Odah, who said he needed to brief the journalist (s) on the situation in Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community, as it concerns the alleged military invasion in the area, only to be whisked away by the SARS operatives on the orders of the Chairman.
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu Mohammed, to immediately redeploy the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Awotinde Awosola for unlawful arrest, intimidation and detention of Journalists in Ebonyi State, for carrying out their legitimate duties in the society. All over the world, Journalists are respected and protected because of the pivotal roles they play in society.
“First and foremost, it is not the duty of SARS to get involved in such matters. It doesn’t in any way fall within the scope of their duties. It is not a robbery matter, it is purely a civil matter and they have nothing to do with such matters. We call for the probe of those SARS officers that embarked on such illegal duty.
“Section 33 (1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that every citizen has a right to life and no one shall intentionally be deprived of his life. Section 35 (6) provides that “Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty”. The rights to life is also enshrined in article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in article 6 of the International Covenant on civil and political rights.
“This is a clear violation of such rights and privileges of Mr Peter Okutu, as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and United Nations charter to be arrested and unlawfully detained. Okutu is a high profile Journalist that should be respected for fulfilling his duties and obligations to the people. We will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of journalist (s) fulfilling their constitutional duties.
“Section 39 (1) of the Nigerian constitution states “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impact ideas and information without interference”. Okutu did not need to consult anyone or persons before reporting on any story in the state. He is only accountable to society and his employer. It is an infringement on his fundamental Human Rights to interfere with his duty as a Journalist.
“The other day, The Sun Newspapers Correspondent in the state, Mr. Chijioke Agwu, was also unlawfully arrested and detained by the Nigerian Police. This is totally unacceptable to us. We say no to any form of harassment and intimidation to Journalists.
“Section 35 (6) of the Nigerian constitution states that ” Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person, and in this subsection, “On the appropriate authority or person “, means an authority or person specified by law”. We demand immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Peter Okutu and payment of full compensation to him for unlawful detention and denial of his freedom to liberty and movement. Failure to do so, we shall lawfully occupy the streets of Ebonyi State until he is released and full compensation paid to him and his other colleagues who were also unlawfully detained.
“We warn the police not to allow itself to be used by politicians or anyone to settle their political or personal differences. The police are meant to work for the good of the people and not as a ready tool in the hands of a selected few or by the highest bidder.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately discipline those SARS men that allow themselves to be used for such illegitimate duty against a respected Journalist.
“We will not accept a reoccurrence of this shameful act again in South-East zone. Enough is Enough.“
