Nigeria

2018

  
Jones Abiri, pictured third from left with his legal team, speaks to the media on September 5. An Abuja court has dismissed the case against the Nigerian journalist. (CPJ/Jonathan Rozen)

Abuja court dismisses case against Nigerian journalist Jones Abiri

New York, September 17, 2018–An Abuja magistrate’s court today struck out a case against Jones Abiri, publisher and editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Weekly Source, Samuel Ogala, a lawyer who represents Abiri, told CPJ. The court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction over the state where the alleged wrongdoing took place, Ogala said. Abiri, who…

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A market along the street in Ibadan, in Nigeria's southwestern Oyo state, on September 22, 2012. Fresh FM radio station in Ibadan was partially demolished on August 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Nigeria’s Fresh FM radio station partially demolished following critical reporting

Fresh FM, a privately owned radio station based in Ibadan city, in Nigeria’s southwestern Oyo state, was partially demolished by bulldozer during the early hours of August 19, 2018, upon the order of the Oyo state government, Samson Akindele, head of news for Fresh FM, and David Ajiboye, station manager for Fresh FM, told CPJ.…

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Nigerian journalist Samuel Ogundipe, who was detained August 14 by Nigerian police. (Premium Times)

Nigerian journalist jailed for refusing to reveal source

New York, August 16, 2018–Nigerian police should immediately release journalist Samuel Ogundipe, drop all charges against him, and cease efforts to pressure him to reveal any journalistic sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Nigerian journalist Jones Abiri, left, and Alagoa Morris, pictured in Abuja after Abiri's release from detention in 2018. A court on May 22, 2019 charged Abiri on three counts and ordered him detained. (Alagoa Morris)

CPJ welcomes release of Nigerian journalist Jones Abiri

New York, August 15, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release today after over two years in detention of Jones Abiri, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Weekly Source newspaper. CPJ urges Nigerian authorities to drop all charges against Abiri and ensure those responsible for his over two years in detention without trial or family…

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Jones Abiri, left, pictured leaving a court appearance in Abuja on August 2, 2018. The journalist has been detained for two years. (Ahmad Salkida)

Jones Abiri finally in court; Nigeria must release him

New York, August 2, 2018–Nigerian authorities should release without delay Jones Abiri, publisher and editor in chief of the Weekly Source newspaper, and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Nigeria’s state security service, known as the DSS, arrested Abiri on July 21, 2016, and has imprisoned him since.

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Singer and producer David Adeleke, known as Davido (center) leaves the stage after performing during a political rally in Lagos, Nigeria on January 30, 2015. A member of Davido's private security team assaulted Adekanmbi Damilola, CEO of the online entertainment news platform NoStoryTV, during a concert on July 21, 2018, according to reports. (AFP/Pius Utomi Ekpei)

Nigerian musician Davido’s security punches reporter

New York, July 27, 2018– Nigerian musician Davido should hold accountable those responsible for the assault of Adekanmbi Damilola, CEO of the online entertainment news platform NoStoryTV, by a member of his private security team and ensure journalists can safely cover his events, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A vendor carrying newspapers walks past on a bridge in Lagos on July 22, 2016. The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission closed the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State on July 14, 2018. (Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye)

Nigerian Broadcasting Commission closes Ekiti state radio and TV

New York, July 18, 2018–The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the federal government-run broadcast regulator, should immediately permit the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) to reopen, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 14, police acting on the order of the NBC evacuated the state government-owned radio and television broadcaster and locked its…

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Nigerian president Buhari must ensure release of journalist Jones Abiri

The Committee to Protect Journalists and 20 other organizations call for the release of journalist Jones Abiri, who has been held by Nigeria’s Department of State Security (DSS) for nearly two years, and the DSS to be held accountable for its attacks against journalists in Nigeria.

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Nigerian journalist Tony Ezimakor released; colleague remains behind bars

New York, March 6, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed the release today of Tony Ezimakor, Abuja bureau chief of the privately owned Daily Independent newspaper, who was held by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) since February 28. Ezimakor was released unconditionally from DSS custody in Abuja around 10:30 p.m. local time, according to…

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A man carrying a flag for the militant group Boko Haram walks past a group of 82 Chibok girls, who were held captive for three years by the militants, as the girls wait to be released in exchange for several militant commanders, near Kumshe, Nigeria on May 6, 2017. Nigeria's domestic intelligence agency has detained journalist Tony Ezimakor fin relation to an article he wrote about the release of the Nigerian schoolgirls, according to media reports. (Reuters/Zanah Mustapha)

Nigeria’s intelligence agency detains journalist to force him to reveal sources

EDITOR’S NOTE: Immediately after distributing this alert, CPJ learned that Ezimakor was freed just prior to publication. CPJ issued a separate statement concerning his release. Lomé, March 6, 2018–Nigerian authorities should release immediately Tony Ezimakor, the Abuja bureau chief of the privately owned Daily Independent newspaper, and stop trying to compel him to disclose his…

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2018