26th October, 2022
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has condemned the harassment and intimidation of one of its members, Confidence Biebara, by a personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Port Harcourt, Mr Rowland Okojie.
Biebara, according to reports reaching the Union, was harassed by Okojie at about 12noon on Monday, October 24, 2022 at the Rivers State Magistrate Court 10, where the victim had gone to cover a legal suit involving the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) officials who were granted bail by the same court.
Okojie allegedly threatened to deal with Biebara for taking the pictures of the NAPO President and three other officials who posed for a photograph with their lawyer.
The Union in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Stanley Job Stanley and Ike Wigodo respectively, noted that Biebara had not committed any offence warranting harassment or intimidation by the prison official and therefore, demanded an apology from the Correctional Service.
The statement also called on the Comptroller of Correctional Service in Rivers State to investigate the issue and call Okojie to order.
“We consider Mr Okojie’s act as an affront to press freedom, a violation of the fundamental human rights of our member and an invidious attempt at instigating gender-based violence.
“It is important to note that neither Mr Okojie nor any of his fellow correctional service personnel on duty were captured in the said picture. So, our member did not commit any act of infringement that should have warranted harassment and intimidation by Mr Okojie.
“We warn that nothing harmful should befall our member, Confidence Biebara, while we also call on the security agencies in the state to always accord journalists due respect in the course of their professional duties”, the Union said.
Signed
Stanley Job Stanley
Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council
Ike Wigodo
Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council
