By Sani Yarima
The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub has called for immediate investigation and prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials who invaded the broadcast house of Urban Radio Station (94.5FM), Enugu on Monday evening, October 14, 2024.
This is contained in a statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, SPJ-Hub, and issued to newsmen on Tuesday 15th October.
According to information gathered by SPJ-hub, “the officials overpowered the staff of the station who they alleged intimidated with arms, forced them to sit on the bare floor, took their phones, and went straights into the live studio of the station and whisked away the anchor of the interactive program, PRIME TIME, that was going on live at the time of the invasion.”
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade condemned the act in strong terms as it constitutes a despicable assault on the media and crass abuse of power.
“The trend of attacks on journalists recently reveals that the EFCC and security agencies have in recent times decided to adopt extra-judicial jungle tactics in venting whatever grievances they may claim to have,” he lamented.
SPJ-Hub also called on the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoye to investigate the incident and ensure that the officers concerned are prosecuted and punished for their unprofessional actions.
“This will further ensure that other officers learn from this incident while the Commission should also train its personnel on constitutional means of exercising their powers.
“SPJ-Hub further condemns the recent attack on some journalists in Bayelsa State who sustained various injuries as some hired thugs attacked the venue of a press briefing organized by the Sagbama Local Government Chapter of the All Progressives Congress in Yenagoa, the state capital,” the statement concluded.
