The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday urged the Nigerian authorities to release and drop the charges against journalist Precious Eze Chukwunonso, the publisher of the privately owned outlet News Platform. Chukwunonso has been in detention for nearly three weeks following a complaint related to his reporting.
Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, has called on Nigerian authorities to ensure the protection and safety of journalists. He emphasized, “Precious Eze Chukwunonso joins a shamefully long list of Nigerian journalists who have been thrown behind bars simply for doing their jobs. Authorities in Lagos should drop the pending criminal charges against Chukwunonso and allow him to continue his journalistic work without further harassment.”
In his statement to the CPJ, Chukwunonso alleged he was arrested without a warrant and that his phone was confiscated. The journalist was questioned about his sources during detention, and he was threatened by the complainant.
According to local reports, Nigerian police arrested Chukwunonso at his residence in Lagos after a complaint by businessman and politician Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe. The complaint followed an article in News Platform that allegedly accused Igwe of opening fire during a hostile dog encounter. Although initially detained for almost a week, the case was dismissed by a magistrate as meritless. Chukwunonso was then rearrested, and the case was adjourned.
The incident underscores a pattern of state actions against the press in Nigeria. Last month, CPJ urged Nigerian authorities to investigate the detention of journalist Jamil Mabai, who was reportedly detained and threatened by the Katsina State Hisbah Corps.
For more details on this unfolding situation, you can read the full report on JURIST.