CPJ calls for release of two imprisoned journalists
New York, August 14, 2006—Two journalists have been imprisoned in Nigeria’s southeastern Ebonyi state since June 14 on charges of sedition linked to an article criticizing the state governor, the Committee to Protect Journalists has confirmed. Imo Eze and Oluwole Elenyinmi, respectively director and editor of the local bimonthly Ebonyi Voice, have remained in detention…
African leaders urged to defend press freedom
Your Excellency, The Committee to Protect Journalists urges you as chairman of the African Union to discuss with your fellow heads of state and government at your summit in the Gambian capital, Banjul, from July 1, the need to defend press freedom on the continent.
Newspaper copies seized in southern Akwa Ibom State
JUNE 27, 2006 Posted July 30, 2007 EventsCENSORED Fifteen armed men stormed the printing plant of the private weekly Events in the capital city of Uyo and seized about 5,000 copies of the newspaper, according to local journalists and news reports. The attack occurred in the morning, just before the distribution and sale of the…
Two journalists charged with sedition over presidential jet story
New York, June 27, 2006—Two journalists charged with sedition over a story about President Olusegun Obasanjo’s new jet pled not guilty in court today. Mike Gbenga Aruleba, a presenter at leading private television station African Independent Television (AIT), and Rotimi Durojaiye, a senior correspondent for the Daily Independent newspaper, appeared in court in the capital,…
Television presenter rearrested, charged with sedition
New York, June 26, 2006—State security agents arrested a presenter for Nigeria’s leading private television station today for the second time in two weeks and announced sedition charges against him, a manager at African Independent Television (AIT) told the Committee to Protect Journalists. The executive chairman of AIT’s parent company, Raymond Dokpesi, confirmed the detention…
CPJ condemns detention of National Geographic photographer
New York, June 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the four-day detention of veteran freelance photographer, Ed Kashi, who was on assignment for U.S. magazine National Geographic in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Kashi, a U.S. citizen, was arrested June 16 along with his Nigerian fixer, Elias Courson, while photographing an oil facility in…
Security services arrest television presenter
New York, June 15, 2006—State security agents arrested a presenter for Nigeria’s leading private television channel after he hosted a panel discussion about next year’s presidential election, a station manager said today. State Security Service (SSS) detained Mike Gbenga Aruleba of African Independent Television (AIT) in the capital, Abuja, on Wednesday. Mac Amarere, general manager…
Security agents bar critical television documentary
MAY 14, 2006 Posted May 30, 2006 Africa Independent Television (AIT) CENSORED Plainclothes security agents told managers at the Abuja bureau of Africa Independent Television (AIT) to stop broadcasting a privately produced 30-minute documentary about past failed efforts by Nigerian leaders to prolong their time in office. The agents also confiscated the master copy of…
Radio stations political programs and call-in shows suspended
March 27, 2006 Posted: April 25, 2006 Freedom Radio CENSORED Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) suspended five political programs and all live phone-in shows on Freedom Radio, an independent station based in the northern city of Kano. In addition, the Commission ordered the station to stop all broadcasts between 5 and 10 pm for two…