NEWS
Terrorism reporting: You have 48 hours to withdraw threat to sanction BBC, Daily Trust – SERAP to Buhari
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture to withdraw the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terrorism in the country, whether through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) or any other agency of government.”
According to reports, Mr Mohammed had last Thursday stated that the Federal Government would sanction the BBC and Trust Tv for airing documentaries that allegedly “glorify”, “promote”, and “fuel” terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
In a letter dated 30 July, 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “The media has the duty to impart information and ideas on issues of public importance. If carried out, the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would inhibit the media from reporting on issues of public interest.”
According to SERAP, “Media houses and journalists ought to be given the room to determine how best to present information of public interest, especially information about the growing violence and killings across the country.”
The organization said, “Rather than punishing the media for promoting access to diverse opinions and information on issues of public importance, your government should focus on delivering your promises to ensure the security of Nigerians.”
The organization also said, “Carrying out the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would lessen the flow of diverse viewpoints and information to the public.”
The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the requested action is taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.”
“A free, uncensored, and unhindered press or other media is essential in any society to ensure freedom of opinion and expression and the enjoyment of other rights. It constitutes one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.”
“Sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
“The threat if carried out would impermissibly restrict the constitutional and international rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and victims’ right to justice and effective remedies that are central to public debate and accountability in a democratic society.”
“Access to information is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights and freedoms and constitutes a fundamental pillar for building a democratic society and strengthening democracy.”
“Allowing the media to freely carry out their duties is essential to building secure society and leaving no one behind. Conversely, imposing impermissible restrictions on media houses, journalists and other Nigerians undermines the security that builds a healthy and vibrant society.”
“The grounds for sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust as stated by Mr Mohammed fail to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of the grounds, with the aim of ensuring that the excuse of ‘glorifying, promoting, and fuelling terrorism and banditry’ are not used as a pretext to unduly intrude upon the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”
“Any interference with the constitutional and legal duties of the BBC and Daily Trust would not be justified in the context of the right to information.”
“The Federal Government has not shown that the documentaries by the media houses would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public’s interest in the information provided by the documentaries.”
“The documentaries by the BBC and Daily pose no risk to any definite interest in national security or public order.”
“It is inconsistent and compatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] to invoke the grounds of ‘glorifying, promoting, and fuelling terrorism and banditry’ as justifications for suppressing freedom of expression or withholding from the public information of legitimate public interest that does not harm national security.”
“It is contrary to both the Nigerian Constitution and international standards to threaten or punish journalists and media houses such as the BBC and Daily Trust for disseminating such information.”
“The vague and overbroad definitions of ‘glorifying’, ‘promoting’, and ‘fuelling’ raise concerns that the threat by the Federal Government if carried out would unduly interfere with the rights to access to information, and disproportionate to any purported legitimate governmental aim. Ill-defined and/or overly broad grounds are open to arbitrary application and abuse.”
“The broad definitions of what may constitute ‘glorifying’, ‘promoting’, and ‘fuelling’ also heighten concerns of overreach, confer far-reaching discretion on the government, and suggest that the grounds cited by the Federal Government are more intrusive than necessary.”
READ ALSO: SERAP frowns at AGF advice on NNPC’s missing $20bn
“These words do not indicate precisely what kind of individual conduct would fall within their ambit.”
“The use of these words by the Federal Government, given their opaque and ambiguous meaning, leaves open the possibility for application beyond unequivocal incitement to hatred, hostility, or violence. Such words may function to interpret legitimate reporting by media houses, journalists, and other Nigerians as unlawful.”
“The grounds cited by the Federal Government for sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust also fail to establish a direct and immediate connection between the reporting by the media houses and any risks to national security and peace.”
“The threat if carried out would also create an environment that unduly deters and penalizes media houses and journalists, and the reporting of government wrongdoing more generally.”
“The cumulative effect of any attempt to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would be the gagging of the media from reporting on cases of violence and killings by terrorists and kidnappers, the reporting and information that is clearly in the public interest.”
“SERAP recalls that in your 2022 new year message, you raised concerns about persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country and promised to remain ‘resolute in giving utmost attention to the problem.’”
“While your government has the obligation to maintain national security, this obligation is not set apart from the obligation to protect and ensure human rights. National security is a necessary and integral part of the right to security guaranteed to each person individually.”
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has rejected the bail conditions set by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following his invitation for questioning over a viral video he posted, which highlighted alleged extortion by police officers on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
In a post on his X account on Monday, Sowore stated, “I have rejected a bail condition asking me to present a level 17 Permanent Secretary. Instead, I have offered to remain in police custody pending when the joke is over with.”
This came after Sowore was informed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Federal Intelligence Department (FID) that bail would be granted pending the completion of the investigation into the matter.
READ MORE: Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Allow Trump A Third Presidential Run
The police have charged Sowore with multiple offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause harm, cyberstalking, and refusal to assist public servants.
This follows his recording of a video in which he confronted officers allegedly setting up roadblocks for the purpose of soliciting bribes.
Sowore’s decision to reject the bail conditions stemmed from his refusal to accept terms that he deemed unreasonable and compromising.
“I have also advised the DIG that in accepting ‘bail,’ I will not agree to conditions that compromise my innocence, dignity, and integrity. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court,” he added.
Sowore further criticized the investigation, calling it an exercise in impunity and asserting that no crime had been defined in relation to his case.
Earlier, Sowore revealed that he had completed his “interview” with the police at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, where he was questioned about the viral video. “
The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet,” Sowore explained.
When he asked them to identify the location of the alleged crime, they provided a vague response, mentioning only the airport road. He chose not to provide a written statement, noting that in the absence of a defined crime, there was no need for such a process.
Sowore also reported that the police took a break during the session, later informing him that they were awaiting further instructions from higher authorities.
He expressed concern that the police were planning to take him to Lagos for a “kangaroo trial.” “It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial. However, I am prepared to face any consequences,” he said.
In a direct challenge to the leadership of the Nigerian police, Sowore reiterated his stance against the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he accused of extending his tenure illegally.
“I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally,” Sowore stated.
Despite the mounting pressure, Sowore remained resolute, asserting that his fight for justice would continue.
“We are entering a promising year, and our fight for justice will persist,” he concluded, with the hashtag #RevolutionNow, further solidifying his commitment to advocating for human rights and challenging the impunity within Nigeria’s police force.
The Sokoto State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has announced the implementation of the revised N70,000 national minimum wage for all state civil servants, local government employees, and the Local Government Education Authority.
This new policy will take effect on Monday, signaling a significant step towards improving workers’ welfare in the state.
Governor Aliyu, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, emphasized that the new minimum wage reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of Sokoto’s workforce.
READ MORE: Tinubu Urges Stakeholders To Join Forces To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland
He also encouraged civil servants to match the gesture with greater dedication, professionalism, and hard work.
“With the commencement of the payment of this new national minimum wage, we expect renewed commitment, hard work, punctuality, and, above all, seriousness from our civil servants,” the governor remarked.
Aliyu also reassured workers that his administration is committed to maintaining timely salary payments, with salaries to be paid between the 19th and 22nd of each month.
This consistent schedule is designed to further solidify Sokoto State’s reputation as a worker-friendly administration.
In addition to the new wage policy, the governor has placed a high priority on clearing the backlog of unpaid gratuities owed to retired workers.
A total of N500 million will be allocated monthly to offset these outstanding payments, with an additional N300 million designated for retirees who left service in 2023 and beyond.
Governor Aliyu assured the public that by the end of his tenure, no civil servant would be left owing gratuities.
“This strategic approach ensures that by the end of my administration, no civil servant will be owed gratuities,” Aliyu stated, highlighting the stark contrast with previous administrations where salary delays often stretched beyond 50 days, leaving workers facing financial uncertainty.
Muhuyi Rimingado, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), has accused a suspect under his agency’s investigation of orchestrating his recent arrest.
Rimingado, who was detained last week, described the incident as a direct consequence of his work in tackling corruption, asserting that “corruption is fighting back.”
Appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday, Rimingado explained that the arrest was part of a larger attempt to undermine his efforts.
READ MORE: ‘I Won’t Back Down On Exposing Corruption On JAMB,’ – Ex-Official Tells Court
“When you fight corruption, corruption will fight back. Anti-corruption fight (is) fair but corruption fight is dirty,” he said.
Rimingado revealed that three federal agencies had been mobilized against him, alleging that “there are lots of activities going around targeted against my person.”
He connected the arrest to an investigation into a massive fraud case involving the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company Limited (KASCO).
According to Rimingado, his commission uncovered that N4 billion of Kano State Government funds had been siphoned through various entities.
As part of the investigation, his commission seized assets linked to the crime in accordance with legal procedures. After charging the accused to court, Rimingado said the suspect sought to unlawfully seize the evidence.
“He came up with a series of tactics to snatch away the exhibit of the crime, and that is not allowed in law,” he explained.
To prevent tampering, Rimingado’s commission moved the seized property to a safer location.
He believes that this action prompted the police to arrest him, stating, “When they cannot wait for the court processes and they know they cannot succeed in that case, they now activate the police to arrest me.”
The police officers who detained him accused him of abuse of power, mischief, and trespass, charges Rimingado vehemently denied. “My commission is empowered by law to prosecute suspects of corrupt practices,” he stated.
As of now, the police have not issued any comment on the ongoing developments.
‘Long Face Sent Killers My Way’ – Speed Darlington Alleges Assassination Attempt
I’ll Remain In Custody Until The Joke Is Over – Sowore Rejects Bail
Aregbesola Led Faction Quits APC, Party Hits Back
Ex-Belgian Footballer, Radja Nainggolan Arrested In Cocaine Trafficking Probe
Police Plotting Kangaroo Trial Against Me – Sowore
Five Kidnapped, Woman Injured As Bandits Strike Abuja Community
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
