Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC), a renowned human rights lawyer, has voiced his condemnation of the violent actions perpetrated by Ebonyi prison officials against journalists at the Abakaliki High Court.
In a statement addressing the incident, Ejiofor called for swift and decisive action to be taken against the officials in question.
Barrister Ejiofor strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that the blatant violation of press freedom is unacceptable.
He called on the Comptroller General of Prisons to take immediate action against the Ebonyi State Command and ensure that such misconduct does not go unpunished.
The statement read in part, “Prison officials attached to the Ebonyi State Command, have engaged in a violent confrontation with members of the Nigerian press at the Abakaliki High Court. These officials physically assaulted an NTA crew member in a desperate attempt to seize their camera, violating the fundamental right of journalists to cover court proceedings.
“This blatant attack on press freedom is unacceptable. I call on the Comptroller General of Prisons to immediately rein in the Ebonyi State Command and ensure that such misconduct does not go unpunished.
“Even more troubling is that the Defendants/36 inmates, in this case have already been discharged and acquitted on three different occasions from various baseless charges. Why, then, is there such a desperate attempt to suppress media coverage?
“The world is watching! The press must be allowed to perform their constitutional duty without fear of intimidation or violence.”
