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The AI stated this in its 2022 report where it pointed out that the National Broadcasting Commission suspended some broadcast stations and programmes for alleged violation of broadcast code.
Global human rights body, Amnesty International, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari's government was characterised with media and journalists suppression, violation of activists’ freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
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The AI stated this in its 2022 report where it pointed out that the National Broadcasting Commission suspended some broadcast stations and programmes for alleged violation of broadcast code.
Directly pointing out some instances of media and journalists suppression and violation of freedom of expression in Nigeria by the government in 2022, the AI report stated that since 2020, at least 40 protesters remained in detention without trial in Agodi Prison, Ibadan, and Kirikiri Prison, Lagos State.
The AI report said, "On 13 January, the government lifted a seven-month ban on the social media platform Twitter. On 14 July, the ECOWAS court declared that the Twitter ban had been unlawful and ordered the Nigerian state to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression, information and media freedom.
"On 2 February, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) suspended a programme on the Vision FM radio station for discussing the alleged incompetence of the head of the National Intelligence Agency, Rufai Abubakar. On 3 August, the NBC sanctioned four media outlets for showing a documentary perceived to “promote” terrorism.
"On 16 October, Zamfara state government shut down five media outlets for broadcasting an opposition party’s campaign rally.
"On 7 November, a court in Kano sentenced social media celebrities Mubarak Muhammad, known as Uniquepikin, and Nazifi Muhammad to a week’s detention, flogging and a fine for allegedly defaming the Kano state governor in a comedy sketch."
The report further stated that "The government continued to clamp down on protests. On 5 April, Mubarak Bala, president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was sentenced in Kano to 24 years’ imprisonment under criminal charges for breaching the peace. The charges related to Facebook posts from April 2020 in which he allegedly insulted Prophet Muhammad."
According to the report, "On 14 May, the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, banned religious protests in the state.
"On 27 July, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State committed activist Inibehe Effiong to prison without trial for one month for “contempt”.
"Prisoners of conscience Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare continued to face trumped-up charges and prolonged trials for organizing peaceful protests to demand respect for human rights and the rule of law.
"On 20 October, police used tear gas against protesters during the two-year commemoration of the #EndSARS protest at Lekki toll gate. At least four people were arrested and detained.
"On 21 March, a Federal High Court in Calabar dismissed trumped-up charges of treason against journalist Agba Jalingo. He had previously been detained for more than 179 days.
"On 13 May, blogger Bashiru Hameed was detained for publishing the alleged criminal records of the governor of Ogun State. He was released after being compelled to withdraw the publication.
"On 13 October, journalists Abdulrasheed Akogun from Fresh Insight TV and Dare Akogun from Sobi FM radio station were detained by police in Ilorin, Kwara State, over a WhatsApp message which alleged misappropriation of public funds by the Kwara State governor.
"On 22 July, five staff of the Peoples Gazette were arrested in Abuja following an allegedly defamatory report published by the newspaper about the former Chief of Army Staff."
Amnesty also recalled the case of a Leadership newspaper correspondent in Zamfara State, Umaru Maradun, who was detained for undisclosed reasons on July 23, 2022 and released the following day without charge.
Also, on August 4, 2022, a radio worker in Imo State, Casmir Uzomah, was detained for more than two months by the State Security Service (SSS) for airing a song considered “offensive” to the state governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The report noted that "At least 40 protesters remained in detention without trial in Agodi Prison, Ibadan, and Kirikiri Prison, Lagos, two years after participating in the #EndSARS protests against Nigerian security forces. On 4 February, 21 #EndSARS protesters held incommunicado for 15 months at Afaraukwu Prison, Umuahia, were released without charge."