Human rights lawyer, Yinka Oyesomi, Esq., has strongly condemned the reported arrest and assault of Mr. Mannaseh B. Paul, a journalist with Chronicle Reporters, allegedly by officers of the Gwagwalada Police Division acting on the orders of Mr. Ezekiel, a Chairmanship Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
In a statement issued on Thursday, Oyesomi described the incident as “a direct attack on press freedom, democracy, and the rule of law,” calling for the “immediate and unconditional release” of the detained journalist.
According to reports, the arrest followed a recent publication by Chronicle Reporters alleging financial misconduct involving Mr. Ezekiel and the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman. The publication is said to have triggered the assault and subsequent detention of the journalist.
“It is deeply disturbing that a journalist, in the lawful pursuit of truth and accountability, could be subjected to such inhumane treatment,” Oyesomi stated. “This is not only an assault on Mannaseh’s person but also a direct violation of his constitutional rights.”
The lawyer cited Sections 34, 35, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, affirming that freedom of the press is a fundamental right that must not be trampled upon by any individual or institution.
Oyesomi further called on the Inspector-General of Police to launch a “full and transparent investigation” into the matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while journalists are being brutalized for doing their jobs. The courage to speak truth to power must be protected, not punished,” he said.
The Chronicle Reporters newsroom has since demanded the immediate release of its correspondent, urging media rights organizations, civil society groups, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to speak out against the growing attacks on press freedom.