The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the invitation of Mr. Abdulrasheed Hammad, a freelance journalist, by the Department of State Service (DSS) over an report he wrote which was published by the online newspaper, TheCable, saying this is one harassment to many.
Mr. Hammad received a call on August 15, 2024, from one Mr. Muhammed Ahmed, a DSS agent, who instructed him to appear at the DSS office in Sokoto. The summon was linked to a report he did that exposed how 22 sachet water factories in Sokoto State were operating without proper registration from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
When he informed the DSS agent that he was not in Sokoto and could not appear on the specified date, he was threatened with arrest if he failed to comply. TheCable’s management requested that the DSS issue a formal letter of invitation to the organisation before questioning the reporter. However, the DSS refused, insisting that Mr. Hammad must appear in person in Sokoto, and even rejected alternatives proposed by TheCable, such as conducting the interview at its Abuja office, which would have ensured the reporter’s safety.
Upon informing the DSS agent that he wasn’t in Sokoto and would not be able to show up in the DSS office on the stipulated date, the caller threatened to arrest him if he failed to appear in their office.
The Coalition expressed deep concern by the trend of powerful individuals using security agents, particularly DSS officials, to intimidate journalists through unofficial channels like phone calls – where they are summoned and threatened without formal communication with their newsrooms, saying that the practice is both alarming and unacceptable.
While acknowledging the crucial role of security agencies in maintaining law and order, the Coalition emphasized that investigative journalism is not a crime under any law in Nigeria and should not be treated as such.
CWPPF urged the leadership of the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force to better educate their personnel on how to appropriately engage with journalists, to direct them to cease the harassment and intimidation of those merely fulfilling their constitutional duties in the public interest.
The group noted that for future engagements where journalists may be required to provide insight to help with investigations, security agencies should follow the appropriate invitation procedure of sending an official invite to journalists and their newsrooms to enable them to prepare adequately before appearing. It said such appearance should also not be turned into interrogation sessions because accountability journalism is not a crime.
The group called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the DSS to hold the DPO of Arkilla Police Station and Mr. Muhammed Ahmed accountable for their actions against Mr. Abdulrasheed Hammad and his fixer.
The CWPPF is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding democracy and good governance by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom. It comprises of 17 non-governmental organisations and media outlets.
