20th September 2023: The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) unequivocally condemns the act of violence against journalist Mustapha Usman, a reporter with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), by officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on the 18th of September near the Corps’ Zone 7 office in Abuja.
According to the report, Mr. Usman was violently assaulted and had his identification card confiscated while he was simply performing his duty as a journalist by documenting an incident involving the FRSC officers at the Wuye Junction in the nation’s capital. The officers had stopped a motorist and were involved in altercations.
We find it deeply troubling that in the course of discharging his constitutional duties, Mr. Usman became the target of physical aggression by these officers, who should be upholding the law and protecting citizens, including members of the press.
In his own words, Mr. Usman recounted, “I was mobbed by their officers, and it happened so swiftly that I could not recollect their faces.” Victoria Bamas, the Editor at ICIR, expressed her dismay, saying, “It is disheartening that journalists in discharge of their responsibilities working within the ambit of the law are attacked by public officials who should know better’.
Journalists have an obligation of reporting on matters of public interest and ensuring transparency and accountability and must be allowed to perform this duty without fear of harassment, intimidation, or physical harm.
The Coalition strongly condemns the recent attack on Mr. Mustapha Usman and calls for a comprehensive and unbiased investigation into this incident. It is imperative that those responsible for assaulting him are identified and held accountable for their actions. FRSC and relevant stakeholders must ensure that justice prevails in this case.
The CWPPF also demands public apology to Mr Usman and a commitment from the FRSC to respect and uphold the rights and safety of journalists in the future.
The right to report freely and independently is a stronghold of any democracy and it is our collective responsibility to protect and uphold this fundamental right.
Signed
The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (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.
CWPPF Members
Premium Times
The Cable
Daily Trust Newspaper
International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
Civic Media Lab
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)
HEDA Resources Centre.
