A journalist and publisher of the online newspaper “News Platform,” Precious Eze, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force from the Zone 2 Command and detained over a week.
The arrest occurred on Monday, May 27, at Eze’s home in Gbagada, Lagos, following a complaint from prominent businessman and politician Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe.
This incident highlights the increasing intimidation of journalists and raises concerns about press freedom in Nigeria.
Eze’s arrest was linked to his publication of two reports: “GUN SHOTS IN VGC: MD & CEO Of Mainland Oil & Gas Ltd, Chris Odinaka Igwe Alleged to Have Opened Fire After Dog Encounter Turns Hostile” and “RE-VIOLENT ATTACK ON DR. CHRIS IGWE: MD, Mainland Oil & Gas Shares His Own Side of The Story on The Incident.”
These articles, critical of Igwe, allegedly led to accusations of offensive publication and threats of violence.
Following his arrest, Eze was detained for nearly a week before colleagues from the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria attempted to secure his release on bail, without success according to Vanguard report.
On Thursday, May 30, Eze was arraigned before the Ebute Meta Magistrate Court, where the magistrate struck out the case, deeming it without merit and affirming that Eze had no case to answer. Despite this, Eze was returned to custody and re-arraigned before another magistrate on Friday, May 31. The case was then adjourned to a future date in June.
The Nigerian Constitution (1999), the Evidence Act (2011), and the ethical codes of the Nigerian Press Council Act (1992) support journalistic freedom and the protection of sources.
The detention of Eze accompanied a recent series of arrests by journalists. Recently, investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu was secretly arrested by Nigerian police on May 1, 2024, over his reporting on alleged corruption involving a senior government official. Ojukwu, who works for the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, went missing for 48 hours before his outlet discovered he was being held at a police station in Lagos on accusations of violating Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act
Also, a reporter with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Nurudeen Akewushola, and the Centre’s executive director, Dayo Aiyetan, were detained for hours by the Cybercrime Centre of the Nigerian police.
