By our correspondent
The collective of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Civil Society Partners, Sunday, expressed hope for a lawful resolution of disputes around the abduction and subsequent release of the General Editor of FirstNews newspapers, Mr. Segun Olatunji.
The media leaders and associates also gave their backing to the ombudsman assigned to adjudicate on the matter, and promised to make public, the report of the ombudsman.
This was according to a statement, Sunday, jointly signed by Mal. Kabiru A. Yusuf, President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)/President, Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose
Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Eze Anaba
President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and Comrade Chris Isiguzo, MFR, National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Other signatories included Maureen Chigbo, President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Musikilu Mojeed, President, International Press Institute, Nigeria Chapter (IPI Nigeria), Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), and Adetokunbo Mumuni, Director, Socio-
The statement reads in part: “We hope that the parties concerned will seize this opportunity to settle the matter in the interest of law, order and respect for the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution.”
The statement said the media leaders’ current position was preceded by earlier response to concerns expressed by the NPO, the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Civil Society Partners, on the abduction of Mr. Segun Olatunji, and a demand on the government for accountability, to which the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), requested a meeting with the NPO, BON and the Civil Society Partners on April 14.2024.
“The military authorities said they acted to forestall a potential threat to national security and would have reported the matter to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) – The National Media Ombudsman – if they had been aware of its existence.
“After considering this disposition towards the Ombudsman, the NPO, BON and the Civil Society Partners have decided after reviewing the outcome of the April 14 meeting, to refer the matter to the Ombudsman for adjudication.
“The report of the Ombudsman process would be made public.
“We hope that the parties concerned will seize this opportunity to settle the matter in the interest of law, order and respect for the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution.
“Besides, the specific issue of Olatunji, the group condemns the increasing militarisation of the civic space, which has seen increasing use of excessive force by soldiers in matters that would have ordinarily be handled by the police,” the statement said.
