Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Nigeria Police Force, seeking judicial intervention to curb what it describes as “persistent, escalating, and gender-specific attacks” on female journalists across the country.
The suit, filed on behalf of MRA by Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Ms Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkanga, was brought by way of Originating Summons under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules. Through this suit, MRA is asking the Court to declare that the recurrent harassment, intimidation, assault, unlawful detention, and gender-based violations targeted at female journalists constitute a breach of their rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.
Named as Respondents are the Federal Government of Nigeria; the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun; and the Nigeria Police Force.
MRA, which holds Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, explained that it filed the action in the public interest pursuant to Order II Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, acting on behalf of female journalists in Nigeria who continue to face targeted attacks in the course of their lawful professional duties.
Among other reliefs, the organisation is seeking:
• A declaration that the continuing acts of harassment, intimidation, physical assault, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, online and offline threats, and gender-based attacks on female journalists violate their rights to dignity, life, liberty, freedom of expression, and freedom from discrimination under Sections 33, 34, 35, 39, and 42 of the Constitution, and Articles 4, 5, 9, and 18(3) of the African Charter.
• A declaration that the failure of the Nigerian government to prevent these violations, investigate reported cases, prosecute offenders, or provide remedies contravenes Nigeria’s domestic and international human rights obligations.
• A declaration that Nigeria bears responsibility for the acts and omissions of its law enforcement officials and public officers who perpetrate or enable these abuses.
MRA is equally seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Federal Government, the Attorney-General, and the Inspector-General of Police to establish comprehensive, gender-sensitive protection mechanisms for female journalists; investigate and prosecute all perpetrators; and adopt institutional reforms, including compulsory training for law enforcement agencies on journalists’ rights and safety.
It also seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining security agencies, public officials, and other state actors from harassing, arresting, detaining, or otherwise interfering with the work of female journalists.
A verifying affidavit deposed to by veteran journalist and publisher of Media Room Hub, Ms Azuka Ogujiuba, outlines a detailed list of incidents illustrating a pattern of targeted violence against women in the media. The documented cases include arrests, assaults, death threats, unlawful detentions, intimidation, sexual harassment, and online abuse suffered by journalists in Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto, Benue, Delta, Abia, and other parts of the country.
Among those whose experiences are chronicled in the suit are Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif, arrested in Sokoto after publishing a commentary; Adebola Ajayi of Peoples Gazette, assaulted by political thugs in Lagos; Edna Ulaeto, arrested without a warrant by DSS operatives in Abuja; and Ima Elijah of Pulse.ng, forcibly removed from a polling unit. Others include Victoria Ojeme of Vanguard, who received death threats after reporting communal killings; Opeyemi Lawal of FIJ, threatened by a retired Air Force officer after an investigative report; Edoamaowo Udeme, who documented threats from a serving soldier accused of rape; Bolanle Olabimtan of TheCable, assaulted in Delta State; Kasarahchi Aniagolu of The Whistler, assaulted and detained by police; and Comrade Ladi Bala, former NAWOJ President, harassed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The suit also references the assault and unlawful detention of Ms Charity Uwakwe by officials of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs on June 30, 2023, and the alleged demand by police officers for a bribe before processing her complaint.
MRA maintains that these incidents demonstrate a systemic and gender-specific pattern of violence, institutional neglect, and impunity that undermines press freedom and violates Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations, including the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and Principle 20 of the African Declaration on Freedom of Expression.
The organisation submits that without immediate judicial intervention and the establishment of a robust preventive and protective framework, attacks against female journalists will persist, eroding democratic participation and media freedom.
As of the date of this report, no date had yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
