The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is suing President Bola Tinubu for “the unlawful ban and withdrawal of the accreditations of 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”
The Federal Government recently cancelled the accreditations of approximately 25 journalists who were covering events in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The impacted journalists were reportedly instructed to give in their accreditation tags at the Presidential Villa’s main entrance.
SERAP is asking the Federal High Court in Lagos for “an order to direct and compel President Tinubu to reverse the revocation of the accreditations and ban on 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”
According to the action filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, “the ban on journalists covering the Presidential Villa fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“In a democratic society, the media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information – in both its individual and collective aspects.”
“The existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society.”
“By preventing these journalists and media organisations from covering the Presidential Villa, we are preventing them from carrying out their legitimate constitutional responsibility.”
“Withdrawing these journalists’ accreditation tags directly violates media freedom and human rights, including access to information and the right to participate.” It would have a major chilling effect on news gathering and reporting functions, and could result in self-censorship.”
“Withdrawing journalists’ accreditations would create barriers between Nigerians and certain information about their government’s operations, which they have a constitutional right to receive.”
“Among the banned journalists are those from the Vanguard newspaper, Galaxy TV, Ben TV, MITV, ITV Abuja, PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty.” Reporters and cameramen from broadcast, print, and online media outlets are among those affected by the withdrawal.”
“Under Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, the mass media, including ‘the press, radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media, shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.'”
“According to Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution, ‘the people’s participation in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.'”
The suit’s hearing date has not been set.
