Browsing: MRA

The SNM, in a statement jointly signed by Rev Solomon Semaka and Dr Richard Oduma, who described themselves as the Task Force on Illegal CSOs co-conveners, called on the Inspector-General of Police and the intelligence services to strengthen their efforts and beam their searchlight on the activities of criminal syndicates which specialised in blackmailing and extorting unsuspecting government officials using the FOI Act.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Monday called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to put an end to the growing trend of public officials and other powerful individuals using the Police to silence and punish journalists who publish negative reports about them, saying the law enforcement agency has become a tool in the hands of such people to shield themselves from scrutiny.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Monday called on Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State to immediately discontinue the harassment and intimidation of journalists in the state, saying the ongoing attacks on the media by his government in violation of the Constitution amount to a breach of the oath he took on becoming Governor just two months ago, particularly his pledge to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha granted MRA leave to apply to the court to compel the NBC to make available to it the information it requested after hearing arguments from the organization’s lawyers in two separate ex parte motions in which it complained that the Commission had failed to respond to two separate applications for information – the first dated February 17, 2023 and signed by Maimuna Momoh, a Programme Officer at MRA; and a second letter dated February 20, 2023 and signed by Monday Arunsi, MRA’s Legal Officer.

MRA made the call at a press conference it organized to commemorate the 2022 edition of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and the 10-year anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which was endorsed by the UN Chief Executives Board, the highest-level coordination mechanism in the UN system.

In a press statement signed  Ms Obioma Okonkwo, Head of its Legal Department, MRA said by the revocation, the NBC was prioritizing its desire to make money off the broadcasters over the interest of citizens as the ultimate effect of its action is to deprive millions of Nigerians access to information as well as their rights and ability to freely express themselves through these stations.