Following the adoption of a motion moved by Akwa-Ibom lawmaker Clement Jimbo, the House of Representatives has called for an end to attacks on journalists by security agencies.
The lawmakers also resolved to investigate recent cases of journalist detention and to pressure the government to respect press freedom.
In the motion, Jimbo condemned the use of the Cybercrime Act by security agencies to target journalists. He noted that the police continue to misuse the Cybercrime Act to attack journalists despite amendments to the bill. “There has been a troubling increase in the number of journalists being unlawfully arrested, detained, and harassed for carrying out their professional duties, relying on the offence of Cyber-Stalking within the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
“Earlier this year, the President signed the Amended Act with a substantial adjustment to Section 24, which listed what constitutes cyber-stalking and provided the punishment for such offences. However, law enforcement agents have neglected this aspect and continued their clampdown on free speech,” Jimbo said.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to pass laws to strengthen press freedom protection, conduct inquiries into recent cases of journalist detention, and engage in efforts to pressure the government to respect press freedom.
