SERAP gives Gov Umahi 48 hours to reverse ‘illegal life ban on The Sun, Vanguard reporters’
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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned “the blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists and media houses by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and the illegal banning of the Correspondent of The Sun newspaper, Chijioke Agwu, and the Vanguard Newspaper, Peter Okutu, from entering Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.”

The journalists and media houses have been reportedly banned over a report on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state.

Reacting, SERAP in a statement by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “This action is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. We will pursue appropriate legal action nationally and internationally against Ebonyi State authorities if this illegality is not reversed within 48 hours of the publication of this statement.”

The statement read, in part: “We urge Governor David Umahi to show a greater level of transparency and accountability by immediately reversing the purported ban, and allowing journalists and media houses to freely cover the activities of his government.”

“Nigerians expect their leaders to show a greater level of transparency and accountability and to explain and take responsibility for what they are doing rather than threatening, intimidating, harassing and banning journalists and media houses from covering their public functions. These journalists and media houses are simply doing their work and playing their constitutional roles.”

“The ban clearly runs counter to the notion of a free marketplace of ideas, necessary to serve the best interests of the public. Barring journalists undermines Nigeria’s pledges on democratic reforms and the rule of law and must stop now.”

http://serap-nigeria.org/serap-gives-gov-umahi-48-hours-to-reverse-illegal-life-ban-on-the-sun-vanguard-reporters.ngo/

Some Governors are just too difficult

This Covid-19 patient weeping more than our bereaved FG in the fight against BH will not be e-quarantined until he infects us all in NL abi?

I'm referring to the FTC in this thread.

U

He's not serious. After giving him award last year.

If there's anyone to issue ultimatums it should be the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

This ultimatum is DOA.

Umahi is acting just like his oga on top

Umahi has Buhari kind of body odour

Or what... Nothing will happen...

Other people should follow suit,the governor is a tyrant.You need to visit Abakaliki to see how wicked the man is.Greedy and selfish while your people are suffering.

Very Good! sue the idiot.we are in a democracy and not in an autocracy.

Ok. Fingers crossed.

very stupid man that spends so much on propaganda while he is absolutely doing nothing in his state.

all he does is spend some money on stupid beautification of the state capital while other local government in the state are surffering serious poverty and health challenges.

now he is beginning to feel like demigod!

he is angry with the the two journalists because they refused to collect money and hide the fact that lasser fever is killing a lot of ebnoyi indegenes every day!

no one is even reporting the havoc and murder fulani herdsmen are causing to farmers in his state - he made sure no journalist is reporting it - all because he wants to please buhari.

With all the rant on the state tv and radio he still couldn't accuse the journalist of fake news but was just beating about the bush and calling them persona-non-grater to the state!

useless fulani born throw way!

he thinks we don't know the history of his great grand father!

Nigeria filled with tyrannical leaders.

What could the most performing governor in Igboland be hiding abi dollar de hin iseagu ni ?!