CWPPF condemns threats to WikiTimes journalist Yawale Adamu by Mr. Mustapha Abdurrahman

“It’s very disturbing that Abdurrahman is not only threatening the WikkiTimes reporter, but also his sources and fixer who helped the reporter connect with sources. His outburst that a journalist’s role is subject to political approval perverts the essence of a free press. The attempts to discredit and threaten Yawale Adamu, is not only an attack on him personally but also on the integrity of the journalistic community at large.” he said.

CJID reached out to Mr Mustapha Abdurrahman but he said he was conducting an investigation and would only respond when he was done with his investigation.

CWPPF views such acts of threatening journalists for doing their job as an assault on the freedom of the press and a serious security concern that should not be taken with levity by security agencies.

We urge the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the reported threat to Mr. Yawale Adamu by Mr. Mustapha Abdurrahman and ensure that nothing is done to harm Mr Adamu, his family as well as his sources and fixer for the report.

We equally call on the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) also known as the Department of State Service (DSS) to take appropriate actions to prevent political office holders and powerful individuals in Nigeria from using the DSS as a tool to violate the freedom of the press and the fundamental rights of journalists in the country.

Journalists play an integral role that is fundamental to the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria and deserve a free and safe environment to perform their roles without fear of reprisal or threats from any quarter.

Signed
Busola Ajibola,
Deputy Director, CJID.

For:
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.

The CWPPF is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding democracy and good governance by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.