Newspaper staff receive threatening phone calls
(IJC/IFEX) – On 30 July 1999, the management of Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL), publishers of “TheNews” magazine, stated that they had been receiving unusual telephone calls threatening the magazine’s officials. In a statement issued by the company’s general manager, ICNL said that at about 10:00 p.m. (local time) on 29 July, “a call came […]
Former House speaker withdraws suit against “The News”
(IJC/IFEX) – On 22 July 1999, Alhaji Salisu Buhari, withdrew the N500 million (US$5 million) libel suit filed against the publisher of “The News” magazine, Independent Network Communications Limited (ICNL). Until 21 July, Buhari was the speaker of the Nigeria Lower House of Assembly (House of Representatives). **Updates IFEX alert of 22 July 1999** Buhari […]
Journalist arrested, tortured, released
(IJC/IFEX) – On 21 July 1999, Toyin Coker, a journalist in the news and current affairs department of African Independent Televison (AIT), was arrested by the police in Shagamu, Ogun state. Shagamu, a town in Nigeria’s south-west region, has been in a crisis over the past weeks because of a clash between Yoruba indigenous people […]
House speaker sues “The News” magazine
(IJC/IFEX) – On 19 July 1999, the embattled speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ibrahim Salisu Buhari, filed a N500 million (US$5 million) libel suit at the Ikeja High court through his counsel, Chief Frederick Rotimi Alalade (FRA) Williams (SAN). The suit was filed against Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL), publishers of “The News” […]
Journalists receive death threats
(IJC/IFEX) – The Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL), publisher of “TheNews” magazine, has alleged that two of its reporters, Tony Orilade and Iyobosa Uwugiaren, who are the Abuja corresponts of the magazine, have received death threats from unknown persons. A statement issued by “TheNews” managing editor Babafemi Ojudu on 15 July 1999 said that separate […]
Lagos NUJ boss granted bail
(IJC/IFEX) – The Chairman of Lagos State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Arogundade, detained since 25 April 1999 over an alleged complicity in the murder of Bolade Fasasi, has been granted bail. **Updates IFEX alerts of 13 May, 12 May, 11 May, 5 May, 3 May, 30 April, 28 April, 20 April […]
Journalist charged
(IJC/IFEX) – The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos state, Lanre Arogundade, has been charged with murder before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court. The prosecutor, Sunday Egunremi, told the court that Arogundade had conspired with others now at large to murder female journalist Bolade Fasasi. **Updates IFEX alerts of 5 May, 3 May, […]
Editor arrested
(IJC/IFEX) – On 1 May 1999, John Oseze-Langley, editor of the “Weekend Diet” was arrested by two plain-clothes policemen from the anti-fraud unit of the CID, Alagbon, Lagos. Langley was picked up at about 2.30 p.m. (local time), while standing in front of his office in the company of Nath Omame Jr., deputy editor of […]
Media worker killed
(IJC/IFEX) – Media worker John Musa was killed in Maiduguri, Borno state, on 28 April 1999, when policemen clashed with protesting Borno state civil servants who are on strike to press for a N3,000 (US$32) minimum wage. Musa was a member of the circulation staff of the Jos-based Plateau state publishing company which publishes the […]
Nigeria Union of Journalists’ chairman arrested
(IJC/IFEX) – In the early hours of Sunday, 25 April 1999, the Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Arogundade, was arrested at his house by plainclothes policemen from Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo state. **For background on other cases involving Arogundade see IFEX alerts of 17 February 1999, 3 […]
Journalist killed, another detained
(IJC/IFEX) – Fidelis Ikwuebe, a freelance journalist who was allegedly kidnapped on 4 April 1999 during bloody inter-communal clashes in Aguleri – Umuleri in the Anambra East Local Government area of Anambra state, has been confirmed dead. Reports said the journalist, along with a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ezinifite in the Nnewi […]
Update on journalists arrested and harassed
(IJC/IFEX) – **New case, plus updates to IFEX alerts as noted in text** 1. Henry Ugbolue, Kaduna State correspondent for “The News” and “TEMPO” magazines, arrested on 10 October 1997. Place of detention: State Security Service (SSS) office, Kaduna Present situation: Released on 11 October 1997. Refused to report back. Still being hunted (updates IFEX […]
Several journalists arrested; another wanted by police; Bayo Onanuga still targeted by police
(IJC/IFEX) – The Administration Manager of The News/TEMPO/PM News group, Rafiu Salau, has been arrested and detained at the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Apapa, Lagos. Salau was arrested on 18 November 1997 at the offices of the DMI where he had gone to check on Adetokunbo Fakeye, defence reporter for “PM News”, who has […]
“PM News” correspondent arrested
(IJC/IFEX) – The defence correspondent of “PM News”, Adetokunbo Fakeye, was arrested on 4 November 1997 while on duty at Army Defence headquarters in Lagos. “PM News” management said it became worried and began investigating when Fakeye did not return to the newsroom that day. Management said it has determined that Fakeye was arrested, and […]
Security forces storm offices of “The News” seeking managing director; “The News” correspondent in hiding
(IJC/IFEX) – Security officers from the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) twice stormed the editorial offices of “The News” magazine in Lagos on 3 November 1997. They were there at 2:00 am and 10:00 am. On both occasions, they demanded to see Bayo Onanuga, managing director of The News/TEMPO/PM News group, but he was not […]
Security forces storm offices of “The News” seeking managing director; “The News” correspondent in hiding
(IJC/IFEX) – Security officers from the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) twice stormed the editorial offices of “The News” magazine in Lagos on 3 November 1997. They were there at 2:00 am and 10:00 am. On both occasions, they demanded to see Bayo Onanuga, managing director of The News/TEMPO/PM News group, but he was not […]