I-CSPJ SAYS CLOSURE OF AIT, RAYPOWER FM OPERATIONS IN PORT HARCOURT IS UNACCEPTABLE

EXPRESS WORRIES AND DEMAND SAFETY OF VETERAN JOURNALIST

IPC’s Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has expressed worries over the recent closure of Africa Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM operations in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Government, saying the action is unacceptable and a violation of the rule of law.

In a statement signed by the IPC  Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan today, September 4, 2023, said the media organization on its official page on Sunday, 3rd September 2023, announced that the State Government shut down its operations through contracted telecommunications engineers accompanied by armed security operatives.

“The contractors disconnected the wave guard from the antenna on the mast while riggers were seen dismantling the mast. Also, bulldozers were deployed to demolish the Transmitter Complex at DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast CentrE it said

In a swift response, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade warned the state government against further actions towards the closure of the media outlet stressing that any attempt will stifle press freedom in the country.

The Rivers State Government should come open with any grievance it may have against AIT/Raypower in the State and refrain from further arbitrary self-help like the demolition

And advised the Rivers State Government to seek legal redress in an instance where the media outfits have committed any offense, to allow AIT and Raypower FM to continue their operations.

Lanre also uses the medium to send a strong message to security operatives to Stop the threat on veteran journalist Ikem Okuhu’s life.

He said the veteran journalist, Ikem Okuhu, was on Friday, August 25, 2023, accosted by two men who introduced themselves as officers of the Nigerian Police, Enugu State Command at the burial of the father-in-law of his younger brother at Umabor, Eha Alumona Nsukka, and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that he is not harmed in any way.

Giving details of what happened during a press briefing in Lagos, Okuhu said:

I was at Umabor for the burial of the father-in-law of my younger brother and I had gone out to make a phone call when one of these people walked up to me and started a casual conversation, but soon said he had an order to bring me to Enugu. He said he was a police officer and that somebody had written a petition against me. My inquiry as regards who wrote the petition and what the issue was about did not yield anything, as he was soon joined by another man who also claimed he was a policeman. When I asked them for identification, they refused and instead, tried to herd me to their vehicle

I-CSPJ therefore urged any aggrieved persons or organization over Okuhu’s report to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help.

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