HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported detention of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, warning that such actions threaten press freedom and investigative journalism.

The group also criticised the reported invitation extended to the publisher of SecretsReporters, Fejiro Oliver, by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre over allegations of espionage and computer-related offences linked to investigative reports published by the online medium.

In a statement signed yesterday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said the reported actions, if accurate, represent “a dangerous descent into the criminalisation of investigative journalism and an alarming assault on constitutionally guaranteed press freedom.”

The organisation argued that journalists carrying out investigative reporting in the public interest should not be branded as spies or enemies of the state merely because their reports expose alleged wrongdoing.

“HURIWA categorically rejects any attempt by security agencies to brand investigative journalists as spies merely because they expose matters of public interest. Such a designation is reckless, unconstitutional, deeply offensive to democratic values and capable of creating a chilling effect on the media,” the statement said.

According to the group, Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution assigns the media the responsibility of holding the government accountable to the people, making investigative journalism a constitutional duty rather than an act of espionage.

HURIWA maintained that reports exposing alleged corruption, abuse of office, official misconduct and other matters of public interest should be addressed through lawful judicial processes where necessary, not through intimidation or arbitrary arrests.

It expressed concern over reports that Ugagbe was allegedly intercepted by armed men in plain clothes, handcuffed, blindfolded and taken to his residence, where work equipment was confiscated before he was reportedly detained without immediate public acknowledgement by the authorities.

The association said such allegations, if established, would amount to violations of the journalist’s constitutional rights to liberty, dignity and fair hearing.

It also faulted reports alleging that Oliver leaked government information to foreign governments through investigative reports published by SecretsReporters, warning that such claims could discourage journalists from pursuing legitimate investigations.

“A democratic government should welcome scrutiny, not wage war against those who ask difficult questions. Governments committed to accountability respond to investigative reports with facts and lawful processes, not intimidation, arbitrary arrests or sweeping allegations that portray journalists as enemies of the state,” HURIWA said.

The organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force to provide a transparent explanation of the circumstances surrounding Ugagbe’s reported arrest and detention and to ensure that his constitutional rights, including access to his family and legal representatives, are fully respected.

It also demanded the withdrawal of any action that seeks to portray investigative journalism as espionage where there is no credible evidence beyond the lawful publication of matters of public interest.

HURIWA further urged security agencies to stop using cybercrime laws to intimidate journalists and called for full respect for the constitutional role of the media in promoting accountability and good governance.

It maintained that Nigeria could not claim to be practising constitutional democracy while journalists were allegedly treated as terrorists, spies or enemies of the state for performing the duties assigned to them by the Constitution.