News
HURIWA Condemns Benue Government’s Armed Invasion of Joy FM, Calls It an Assault on Press Freedom
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the forceful invasion and closure of Joy FM 96.5, Otukpo, by the Benue State Government, calling it a brazen assault on press freedom and democracy. The rights group described the armed invasion by security operatives as a clear case of state-sponsored thuggery and intimidation against the media, warning that such dictatorial actions could plunge Nigeria into a dangerous era of media suppression.
Reports indicate that on Thursday, a team of heavily armed policemen stormed the radio station in two trucks, allegedly led by the Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mr. Sunday Odagba, and Mr. Ikwue Ikwue of the State Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Otukpo Zone. Staff members were reportedly assaulted, and a journalist reading the 1 pm network news bulletin was forced at gunpoint to halt the broadcast.
Reacting to the incident, HURIWA stated that the use of armed policemen to shut down a media house under the guise of enforcing tax collection is not only excessive but also a violation of constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of the press. The association expressed outrage that such an action could take place in a democratic setting and called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately order the reopening of the station while holding those responsible for the unlawful attack accountable.
“This is a disgraceful and unacceptable act of intimidation against a legitimate media organization. The invasion of Joy FM by armed policemen in a commando-style operation is a calculated attempt to silence the press and instill fear in journalists who dare to report freely. This is state-sponsored thuggery, and we will not tolerate it. The Benue State Government must explain why a tax enforcement exercise required the use of live ammunition, gun-wielding security operatives, and the physical assault of journalists,” HURIWA declared.
The rights group emphasized that no government has the authority to shut down a media house arbitrarily, especially without due process and adequate notice. It noted that if Joy FM was owing any statutory levies, proper legal procedures should have been followed to address the matter, instead of resorting to armed intimidation.
“We are particularly disturbed by reports that the station was not even aware of any outstanding payments before this barbaric action. The claim that the station owed N150,000 for a business premises levy is laughable and only exposes the political motives behind this action. If indeed Joy FM had defaulted in any payment, was the only solution to storm the station with heavily armed policemen as if chasing terrorists? This is an outrageous abuse of power and must not be swept under the carpet,” HURIWA said.
HURIWA further called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the illegal use of its personnel in what appears to be a politically motivated attempt to intimidate the press. It questioned how a state government was able to deploy a large number of armed operatives for a mere tax enforcement drive, warning that if this pattern is allowed to continue, no media organization in Nigeria will be safe from government persecution.
“This incident reflects the worsening state of press freedom in Nigeria. The police must explain how they allowed themselves to be used in such an oppressive manner. Nigeria is not a military dictatorship, yet journalists are now being forced to stop their broadcasts at gunpoint. If we do not resist this now, other state governments will copy this lawlessness and begin shutting down media houses that expose their failures,” HURIWA warned.
The association reiterated its call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to intervene immediately and ensure that Joy FM resumes operations without any further harassment. It also urged media practitioners, civil society groups, and international human rights organizations to take a firm stand against this brazen attack on press freedom.
“If the government of Benue State does not reverse this unconstitutional act and reopen Joy FM immediately, HURIWA will mobilize civil society groups, legal experts, and concerned citizens to challenge this abuse in court. We will also petition international press freedom organizations to take up this case and expose the increasing clampdown on the media in Nigeria. The time to act is now,” the group declared.
HURIWA concluded by reminding the Benue State Government that a free press is the cornerstone of democracy and that attempts to gag the media will only strengthen public resistance. The association vowed to continue monitoring developments surrounding this case and ensure that those behind this abuse of power are held accountable.
*Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko*
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
January 31, 2025
News
Lawyers Storm National Assembly To Demand Constitutional Take-Over Of Benue, Zamfara Houses of Assembly Over Suspensions
Lawyers numbering over 1,000 who came together from across the country under the Save Benue and Zamfara coalition early this morning petitioned the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly.
The coalition, during a peaceful protest on Tuesday at the National Assembly complex, argued that the two houses are unable to perform their constitutional duties due to internal crises and alleged interference by the state governors.
The petition lamented that in Zamfara, 10 lawmakers have been suspended since February last year, on the instructions of Governor Dauda Lawal for raising alarm over the rising insecurity in the state.
Similarly, in Benue, they stated that 13 members of the House of Assembly were suspended for allegedly refusing Governor Hyacinth Alia’s instruction to suspend the Chief Judge of State.
The coalition, led by Barr. Sambari Benjamin, is urging the National Assembly to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution, which allows the parliament to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of a state when the House of Assembly is unable to perform its functions.
The lawyers warn that if the situation is not addressed, it may lead to a state of emergency being declared in the two states.
They also expressed concern that the crisis could spread to the National Assembly, potentially threatening its stability.
The coalition therefore requested the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to urgently intervene and take over the functions of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly to restore democratic rule and stability in the two states.
The petition partly reads: “We write to request the urgent intervention of the Senate under your able leadership to forestall the demise of our democracy in instalments. Following the National Assembly ratifying the state of emergency that President Bola Tinubu proclaimed in Rivers State, we fear that Benue and Zamfara States are on the way to coming under emergency rule unless urgent constitutional steps are taken to remedy the anomalies that exist in both states.
“Our fears are that all of Nigeria’s 36 states would come under emergency rule if the Senate does not step in to demonstrate its commitment to the sustenance and protection of democracy by coming under Section 11 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to take over the functions of the two Houses.
“Our request is predicated on Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which provides that ‘At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State: Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or the Deputy Governor of the State from office.’
“Allowing this situation to continue will end in President Tinubu proclaiming state of emergency in both places and suspending the assemblies, by which time the National Assembly will no longer be able to take over the functions these states’ house of assembly as constitutionally stipulated. By then the National Assembly can only ratify the emergency rule as would be proclaimed by Mr. President.
“Furthermore, it is a matter of time before the crises that have incapacitated the Benue House of Assembly and Zamfara House of Assembly are introduced to the Senate and indeed the National Assembly, which would make negative history with the President again leveraging the Constitution to dissolve the parliament. The panacea is for the Senate to show the leadership needed at a trying time like this.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, banished Favour Kanu, wife of Prince Fineboy Kanu, the younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu for streaming the proceedings of the court live on her Facebook page.
Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is being prosecuted by the Federal Government for alleged terrorism.
Justice James Omotosho, who gave the order, after Mrs Kanu admitted engaging in the act and apologised to the court, held that she would have been charged for contempt of court.
Although Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, also apologised on her behalf, Justice Omotosho insisted that Mrs Kanu would be barred from three proceedings.
The judge expressed surprise that despite that Mrs Kanu’s phone was confiscated on the last adjourned date when she was caught recording him, she still went ahead to post the video online.
“I want to hear from her. Were you not the one that I took your phone?
“I did not give order to forfeit that phone. I don’t know if she might be a wife to my brother (Nnamdi Kanu),” the judge said.
The judge, who cautioned against any act that could cause delay in the trial, assured all parties in the case that justice would be served. (NAN)
Controversial social media commentator, Mr. Martins Innocent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and will be released upon meeting the required bail conditions.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that the arrest stemmed from multiple petitions received against the social media figure, alleging involvement in financial misconduct.
This information was shared by the EFCC on its verified Facebook page on Tuesday, where the commission elaborated on the grounds for the arrest.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in fulfilling its mandate to combat economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Innocent Otse due to a series of petitions concerning various allegations of financial offenses against him,” stated the EFCC.
The agency further noted that Otse failed to respond to several invitations sent to him at his known addresses and through other communication channels.
The EFCC emphasized that the petitions involve serious accusations of financial wrongdoing that warrant attention.
“It is important to acknowledge that the Commission is aware of the numerous unrestrained criticisms directed at its operations by the suspect. While such behavior is regrettable, his arrest was not motivated by these criticisms. The appropriate law enforcement agencies will investigate these matters,” the EFCC clarified.
In executing the arrest and subsequent detention, the commission confirmed that it obtained the necessary remand order. It stated, “He has been granted administrative bail and will be released once all bail conditions are satisfied.”
The EFCC appreciates the public’s interest in its operations and welcomes the enthusiasm and varied reactions to its activities.
“However, speculations regarding the motives behind our actions should cease. The EFCC must be allowed to perform its duties impartially. Charges will be filed as soon as investigations are concluded,” the Commission stated.