SaharaReporters earlier reported that the police in the West African country had detained Ayeni and accused of being a jihadist.
The Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has called for the immediate release of Mr. Damilola Ayeni, a Nigerian journalist and the Editor of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was arrested by the police in Benin Republic.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the police in the West African country had detained Ayeni and accused of being a jihadist.
Benin Republic Police Detain Editor Of Nigeria’s FIJ And Label Him ‘Jihadist’, Demand 800,000CFA Bribe | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/MojwPqtYLS pic.twitter.com/I5KrXouiQ3
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) September 6, 2023
According to FIJ, the authorities subsequently demanded a bribe of 800,000 CFA to free Ayeni, whose arrest last week became public knowledge only early on Tuesday.
Reacting to Ayeni's arrest statement on Wednesday, CWPPF said the Nigerian journalist was wrongfully arrested and labelled a 'Jihadist' in Benin Republic and was being detained at Commissariat Central, Parakou Police Station.
According to the statement titled "Coalition Calls For The Immediate Release Of Damilola Ayeni, a Nigerian Journalist Wrongfully Arrested And Labelled A Jihadist In Benin Republic," the CWPPF Secretariat said it was gravely concerned about the wrongful arrest and detention of Ayeni.
The Coalition stated that Ayeni, who was arrested on August 31, 2023 is currently being detained at the Commisseriat Central, Parakou Police Station, in Parakou, Republic of Benin, by the Beninese police. Regretting that he been labelled a jihadist, risking 10 to 20 years in prison.
The group stated that the allegation that Mr Ayeni lacks credible evidence and appears to be politically motivated, noting that it has raised concerns about the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to suppress free speech and dissent in the subregion.
The statement, "His arrest without due process also violates internationally recognized human rights standards, including the right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression. This act by the Beninese police has raised serious concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in Benin Republic, as well as the broader implications for journalists working across the region.
"The coalition hereby condemns the unjust arrest of Mr Damilola Ayeni and calls on the Government of the Republic of Benin and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to take immediate action to rectify this situation, thereby upholding the principles of justice, rule of law and respect for human rights.
"We stand united in demanding the immediate release of Mr Ayeni, and the dropping of all unfounded charges. Diplomatic efforts, media campaigns, and advocacy will continue until justice is served.”
"In these trying times, it is crucial for governments around the world to protect the fundamental rights of journalists and ensure they can carry out their vital work without fear of persecution," the statement partly read.
The CWPPF is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding good governance and democracy by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.
Its members include Civic Media Lab, Premium Times, The Cable, Daily Trust Newspaper, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCI). Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CID) and African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL).
Others are Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), International Press Centre (IPC), International Press Institute (IPI). Media Rights Agenda (MRA). Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Paradigm Initiative. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and HEDA Resources Centre.