By Amara Agha, Abakaliki
A coalition of civil society organisations in Ebonyi State has condemned what it described as the growing harassment and intimidation of journalists and social critics by political actors in the state. The groups called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure an impartial investigation into recent incidents.
Their reaction followed the arrest and remand of a 22-year-old TikToker, Chisom Achor, who published defamatory allegations against the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chinedu Ogah. Achor and another critic were arrested, arraigned, and subsequently remanded at the Enugu Custodial Centre.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Abakaliki, the coalition expressed concern that while they do not support defamation or misuse of digital platforms, resorting to arrests and imprisonment raises fears about the shrinking civic space in the state.
The coalition is made up of the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC), Human Rights Action Group (HRAG), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Good Living Initiative (GLI). Its leaders include Prof. Joseph Agbo (HRVC), Mr. Charles Otu (HRAG), Mr. Lawrence Omini (CDHR) and Mr. Daniel Ibiam (GLI).
“We organise this press conference today to register our concern and dismay over the rapid closing of the civic space in Ebonyi by the political class,” the group said. “We seek the intervention of the President, the IGP and all peace-loving people of Ebonyi to demand a probe into the allegations involving Hon. Chinedu Ogah and his critics.”
The groups also condemned the reported attack on a journalist, Mr. Godwin Aliuna, allegedly on the orders of a state commissioner.
They noted that within three months, several journalists and social media commentators had been arrested or detained, a trend they described as “worrisome and unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Ogah, through his media office, denied sponsoring any harassment, expressing concern instead about what he called an “orchestrated cyberbullying and propaganda campaign” against him and other political office holders in the state.
“I wish to draw the attention of the public to the disturbing wave of sponsored social-media attacks targeted at my person,” his statement read. “Leadership cannot be built on cyberbullying or fabricated propaganda. The long arm of the law is already in motion, and those behind this defamation campaign will face the consequences.”
The coalition urged the police and relevant authorities to ensure a transparent investigation and protect the rights of both journalists and citizens engaging in public discourse.
