Articles by Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
Media consultant harassed, faces criminal charges for obtaining classified documents relating to journalist’s death
(MRA/IFEX) – On 2 November 2006, the Nigerian government filed criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Mr. Shehu Garba, a former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and currently media consultant to that organization’s vice president, Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of violating the Official Secrets Act. Garba is being charged […]
Information minister reprimands journalists, threatens sanctions over interviews with plane crash survivors
(MRA/IFEX) – On 30 October 2006, Minister of Information and National Orientation Frank Nweke reprimanded the Nigerian media over the coverage of the 29 October Aviation Development Company (ADC) plane crash in Abuja, describing the media as “callous and insensitive” for interviewing survivors from the crash. He threatened to sanction any media he deems “guilty” […]
Government drops sedition charges against journalist, continues proceedings against another
(MRA/IFEX) – On 10 October 2006, the Nigerian government withdrew the charges of sedition against Daar Communications Limited, owners of African Independent Television (AIT), and one of its assistant managers, Mr. Mike Gbenga Aruleba. However, it retained its charges against Independent Newspapers Limited (INL), publishers of the “Daily Independent” newspaper, and its aviation correspondent, Rotimi […]
Stringent new accreditation requirements imposed on journalists for covering National Assembly activities
(MRA/IFEX) – On 26 July 2006, Nigeria’s federal legislature, the National Assembly, outlined a series of harsh requirements that media organizations will be obliged to meet before their reporters are re-accredited to cover the activities of the Senate and House of Representatives. Under the new regulations, the accreditation of all journalists covering the Senate and […]
Detained television presenter released, may be charged with sedition
(MRA/IFEX) – The presenter of the “Focus Nigeria” programme on the privately-owned “Africa Independent Television” (AIT), Gbenga Mike Aruleba, who was arrested on 14 June 2006 by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, has been released. Aruleba was released conditionally late on 15 June after he reportedly embarked on a hunger […]
Security agents raid private television station and arrest journalist
(MRA/IFEX) – On 14 June 2006, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, invaded the premises of the country’s largest private television network, the Africa Independent Television (AIT), in Abuja and arrested Gbenga Mike Aruleba, host of the popular “Focus on Nigeria” programme. About 12 security agents carried out the raid and […]
Newspaper correspondent arrested and questioned by security agents
(MRA/IFEX) – On 1 June 2006, Tony Eluemunor, the Abuja bureau chief of the “Daily Independent” newspaper, was arrested by officials of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, on the orders of the agency’s Director General, Colonel Kayode Are. After his arrest, Eluemunor was questioned for about 20 minutes in connection with a […]
Television station broadcasting live National Assembly debate on prolonging the president’s term receives threats, bomb scare
(MRA/IFEX) – On 15 May 2006, there was temporary disruption of the broadcast of radio and television signals at the Abuja offices of Daar Communications Limited, owners of Ray Power FM and the Africa Independent Television (AIT), following a bomb scare which led to the evacuation of journalists and workers from the premises. The bomb […]