26th August 2025
By Peter Omopo
The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned what it described as the unlawful arrest, detention, and harassment of journalist Azuka Ogujiuba by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub and a former ThisDay reporter, has reportedly been arrested twice and repeatedly summoned to Abuja over her coverage of a land dispute court case, despite residing and working in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its deputies, Fidelis Mbah and Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nigeria said the police actions amount to intimidation and a violation of press freedom.
“Rather than respecting her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of the press, the police have resorted to intimidation, unlawful detention, and repeated summons to Abuja,” the statement read. “Such heavy-handed tactics amount to blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist for performing her lawful duties.”
The organisation warned that the treatment of Ogujiuba undermines public confidence in the rule of law and breaches Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
IPI Nigeria called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately halt the harassment and ensure that any allegations are addressed through due legal process.
“If the police believe she has committed an offence, the appropriate step is to charge her before a competent court—not to subject her to endless intimidation,” it stated.
The press body further cautioned that continued harassment of Ogujiuba could see the Inspector-General of Police included in its Book of Infamy—a public record of individuals and institutions accused of enabling violations of press freedom in Nigeria.
“Any attempt to muzzle the press strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s democracy and weakens public trust in its institutions,” the group added.
IPI Nigeria reaffirmed its solidarity with Ogujiuba and urged security agencies to respect constitutional and international protections that allow journalists to report freely on matter of public interest.
