CPJ: Nigerian journalists still face arrests despite Cybercrime Act reforms
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says at least three journalists in Nigeria have been detained since August over allegations of violating the country’s Cybercrime Act.
In a report published on Friday, CPJ said authorities continue to use the law to harass the media despite its reform.
The law was amended after media rights groups and journalists clamoured for a review, citing its abuse of criminalising “stalking”.
In August, Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of the Media Room Hub news site, was arrested twice in Abuja for publishing a court injunction related to a disputed land sale, she told CPJ.
The first time, she was held for five hours; the second time, for three days while police searched and retained her phone for five days.
Ogujiuba was released on August 11 after interventions from friends, taking down the article, and writing an apology.
