Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to sue should the Federal Government fails to investigate assault on Channels TV crew at University of Abuja.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan, legal and advocacy organization committed to promoting human rights, transparency, and accountability in governance claimed security operatives brutally assaulted Channels TV crew covering a protest at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) and vandalised the crew car, after detaining them for over an hour on Tuesday.
The organisation however urged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to immediately instruct the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the alleged assault on the media crew.
In a statement on the organisation’s official X handle on Wednesday, SERAP demanded that those suspected to be responsible must be identified and prosecuted.
“The authorities must ensure justice and effective remedies for the journalists and crew affected, including financial compensation and repair or replacement of the damaged vehicle and equipment.
“We’ll see in court if the recommended measures are not promptly taken.
“Those responsible for physically attacking journalists and the UniAbuja authorities need to be held to account. The administration needs to make clear that attacks against journalists and media workers will not be tolerated.
“No journalists should face physical violence for doing their jobs.
“Nigerian authorities should guarantee that all journalists in the country are able to carry out their work without fear of reprisals. The de facto impunity for crimes against journalists and media workers must end.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] in section 39 guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, information and the media. Similarly, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party protect freedom of expression, information and the media.
“The constitutional provisions and international standards serve as a critical check on authorities at all levels,” SERAP stated.
Professors at UniAbuja were protesting the selection process for the university’s vice-chancellor, and the Channels TV crew was present to cover the demonstration.
