Group accuses bank of press freedom suppression, demands journalists release

A human rights advocacy group, also known as Global Rights, has accused one of the Nigerian new generation banks of using its influence to suppress press freedom.

The organization criticized the bank for its role in the ongoing detention of four journalists, describing the act as a “weaponization” of the criminal justice system to silence dissent and intimidate journalists.

The four journalists, alleged to have been detained since September 2024 over allegations tied to their work exposing controversial issues, are Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Roland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami.

In a press statement on Wednesday, signed and made available to our reporter in Taraba State by the Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, the organisation accused the bank of being responsible for the predicaments of the aforementioned journalists.

“This shameful saga demonstrates a disturbing misuse of legal power to attack members of the Fourth Estate for practising their profession,” said Baiyewu.

Calling for the immediate release of the journalists, the organisation argued that their detention was a violation of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, including the right to free expression and press freedom under Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution.

“These outdated laws and their misuse highlight an alarming trend where powerful institutions exploit legal systems to stifle dissent and intimidate critics,” Baiyewu added.

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Global Rights, according to the statement, has issued a set of demands to protect press freedom and ensure justice, among which include the immediate release of the journalists and the demand that the bank “must drop all charges and compensate the journalists for damages.”

The judiciary, as further demanded by the organisation, “must dismiss cases that infringe on press freedom and constitutionally protected rights.”

Global Rights also urged the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, eliminate laws criminalizing defamation, making it strictly a civil matter.

“Authorities must avoid pursuing cases driven by personal vendettas or attempts to suppress free speech,” the statement read.

The organisation urged Nigerians to stand against what it describes as the erosion of democratic values, stating that Nigeria must recommit to democracy by upholding the rights of journalists and ensuring a free and vibrant press.