A coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Ebonyi State has condemned alleged human rights violations of journalists and social critics in the state by politicians and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to intervene.
The group was led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC) Human Rights Action Group (HRAG), Committee for the Defense of Human rights (CDHR) and Good Living Initiative (GLI) in Ebonyi expressed displeasure in Abakaliki, the state capital at a press briefing.
Recall that a tik-talker, 22-year-old boy, Chisom Achor had published defamatory contents against the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South federal constituency in the state, Hon Chinedu Ogah, accusing of murder, kidnapping, land grabbing, oppression of members of his community and other allegations.
The boy was arrested by the police, arraigned, and remanded at Enugu correctional facility over the allegations.
Also, another social media influencer in the state, Friday Alefia is suffering the same thing over the same offence.
A journalist in the state, Godwin Aliuna, was attacked by vigilante members inside the old government house, Abakaliki, while covering the event following a disagreement between him and Commissioner for Border Peace, Professor Awo Nwobashi.
Consequently,the groups said the alleged harassment and intimidation of social critics and journalists in the state was worrisome and unacceptable.
The leaders of the Coalition Groups include: Prof Joseph Agbo, HRVC; Mr Charles Otu, HRAG; Mr Lawrence Omini, CDHR; Daniel Ibiam, GLI.
“We organized this press conference today, to register our concern and dismay over the rapid closing of the civic space in Ebonyi by the political class and actors and the uncommon silence of both government and individuals.
“Whereas the Civil Society Groups are not in support of any form of defamation of anybody’s character, needless the political class and elites, we wish to seek the intervention of the President and IGP.
“We also seek the attention of other peace-loving people of Ebonyi to arise with one voice and demand a probe into the allegations against an Ebonyi lawmaker, Mr Chinedu Ogah and his critics,” the group stated.
The Coalition Group called on IGP and other relevant authorities to intervene and investigate the matter.
“We have watched with disconcerting reflections how in a space of less than three months or so, some journalists, writers, and social media critics have been arrested and detained.
“Obviously, we do not in any way support any acts of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking or any act of abuse or misuse of the media – be it mainstream or social,” they added.
Responding, Ogah, through his Media Centre, said, “While we respect everyone’s right to pursue political ambition, we firmly maintain that such ambition must be pursued honourably.
According to Ogah, “Leadership cannot be built on cyberbullying, fabricated propaganda, or the hiring of online attackers. Responsible politics requires selling ideas, not sponsoring falsehood.
“The long arm of the law is in motion, and sooner or later, the full network behind this orchestrated defamation campaign will be exposed,” he stated.
