SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday an attack on a Channels TV crew covering a protest by professors against the alleged imposition of the school’s acting vice-chancellor Professor Aisha Maikudi as the substantive new VC.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the brutal assault on Channels TV crew covering a protest at the University of Abuja.
The organization also denounced the destructive act of vandalising the crew's vehicle, which occurred after they were held for over an hour on Tuesday morning.
SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday an attack on a Channels TV crew covering a protest by professors against the alleged imposition of the school’s acting vice-chancellor Professor Aisha Maikudi as the substantive new VC.
The TV crew members were reportedly manhandled and their vehicle vandalised by security operatives in the school, after detaining them for over an hour.
Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, SERAP, a non-governmental organisation, which aims to promote transparency, accountability and rule of law, called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to direct the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the incident.
SERAP said all those suspected to be responsible for the assault 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," the group maintained.
SERAP warned that it will not hesitate to seek a legal redress if their recommendations are not immediately taken.
"We'll see in court if the recommended measures are not promptly taken,” it said.
"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."
The group stated that on no account should journalists discharging their constitutional guaranteed jobs face physical violence.
It said, "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.
"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."