Articles by Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
Newspaper editor reportedly harassed by police following publication of allegedly defamatory advertisement
(MRA/IFEX) – On 21 February 2008, the management of a Lagos-based national daily newspaper, “The Nation” alleged that its editor, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho was being harassed by policemen. The legal adviser of the newspaper, Folake Adeoye, said the policemen came from Ekiti State in South-west Nigeria. In a 21 February statement Adeoye said, “three policemen, […]
Magazine faces libel suit by political leader, its director assaulted after court appearance
(MRA/IFEX) – On 30 January 2008, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the managing director of “TheNews” magazine, was beaten by thugs believed to be working for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after he finished giving evidence in a libel suit against his magazine at a Lagos High Court. Chief Bode George, the South West Chairman of the […]
Two journalists arrested for photographing statue, later released
(MRA/IFEX) – On 10 January 2008 at about 4:30 p.m. (local time), two journalists, Fidelis Mbah of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Tade Oludayo of Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM radio, were arrested by government security agents in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in south-west Nigeria, for taking photographs of a statue of the […]
Two IFEX members and others condemn presidential veto of freedom of information bill, attacks on journalists and media outlets
(IJC/MRA/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by IJC, MTA and other organisations: STATEMENT BY THE MEDIA FOR DEMOCRACY (MFD) IN NIGERIA GROUP ON MAY 3RD 2007, BEING WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY RECALLING that the UN General Assembly in 1993 proclaimed World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of […]
State security officials raid newspaper office, briefly detain three staff members, seize manuscript and demand that author be surrendered to them
(MRA/IFEX) – On 9 January 2007, about 10 officials of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, raided the Abuja offices of the “Leadership” newspaper and held staff members of the company hostage for one hour. They later arrested the editor of the newspaper, Bashir Bello Akko; the general manager, Abraham Nda-Isaiah; and the […]
Armed government agents raid radio station, arrest staff, seize materials, shut it down temporarily
(MRA/IFEX) – On 2 December 2006, agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti corruption agency, raided the privately owned radio station Cosmo FM, based in Enugu in south-eastern Nigeria. They arrested some staff, took away documents belonging to the station house and shut the station down for about two hours. The […]
National intelligence agents detain two newspaper editors, raid publisher’s office, seize materials
(MRA/IFEX) – On 10 November 2006, operatives from the Lagos office of Nigeria’s intelligence agency, the State Security Service (SSS), raided the office of PostNet Communications, publishers of the “Southwest Post”, a weekly newspaper based in Lagos, and arrested the publisher and editor-in-chief, Dupe Ashama, and the entertainment editor, Taiwo Obatusin. According to Ipoola Akinlotan, […]
CORRECTION: Media consultant harassed, faces criminal charges for obtaining classified documents relating to journalist’s death
(MRA/IFEX) – Please note, in the previous version of this alert, Atiku Abubakar was misidentified as the vice-president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors when he is, in fact, the vice-president of the country. The IFEX Clearing House apologizes for the error. The corrected version of the alert follows: On 2 November 2006, the Nigerian […]