Ebonyi Prison Officials Assault NTA Journalists, Attempt To Seize Camera During Court Proceedings – IPOB Lawyer
Prison officials attached to the Ebonyi State Command have allegedly assaulted journalists covering court proceedings at the Ebonyi State High Court in Abakaliki, according to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer representing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ejiofor claimed that the officials engaged in a violent confrontation with members of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) crew, attempting to seize their camera while they were covering the court session.
“These officials physically assaulted an NTA crew member in a desperate attempt to seize their camera, violating the fundamental right of journalists to report on judicial proceedings,” Ejiofor stated.
Condemning the incident, he called on the Comptroller General of Prisons to take immediate action against those responsible and prevent future occurrences.
Ejiofor also raised concerns about the continued legal proceedings against the defendants in the case, stating, “Even more troubling is that the Defendants/36 inmates 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?”
He further emphasized the importance of press freedom, warning that “the world is watching” and urging that journalists be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without intimidation or violence.
