A coalition of Civil Society groups in Ebonyi state has condemned spate of harassment on journalists and social critics in the state by politicians.
The coalition called on Present Ahmed Tinubu and Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to intervene on the matter.
A tik-talker, 22- year-old Chisom Achor had allegedly published a defamatory contents against the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South federal constituency in the state, Hon Chinedu Ogah, accusing of murder, kidnapping, land grabbing, oppression of members of his community.
The boy and another critic were arrested by the police, arraigned and remanded at Enugu correctional facility over the allegations.
While the group condemned imprisonment of the critics, they called on the federal government to investigate the matter and sanction whoever is found guilty.
Also, a journalist in Ebonyi state Godwin Aliuna was also allegedly attacked on the order of a commissioner.
Addressing a press conference, the group said the harassment and intimidation of social critics and journalist in the state was worrisome and unacceptable.
They stated this in Abakaliki, the state capital at a press briefing.
The group was led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC) Human Rights Action Group (HRAG), Committee for the Defense of Human rights (CDHR) and Good Living Initiative (GLI) in Ebonyi addressed by The leaders of the Coalition Groups include: Prof Joseph Agbo, HRVC; Mr Charles Otu, HRAG; Mr Lawrence Omini, CDHR; 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 and actors and the uncommon silence of both government and individuals.
“Whereas, the Civil Society Groups are not in support of any form of defamation of anybody’s character, needless the political class and elites, we wish to seek the intervention of the President and IGP.
“We also seek the attention of other peace-loving people of Ebonyi to arise with one voice and demand a probe into the allegations against an Ebonyi lawmaker, Mr Chinedu Ogah and his critics,” the group stated.
They called on IGP and other relevant authorities to intervene and investigate the matter.
“We have watched with disconcerting reflections how in a space of less than three months or so, some journalists, writers and social media critics have been arrested and detained.
“Obviously, we do not in any way support any acts of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking or any act of abuse or misuse of the media- be it mainstream or social,” they added.
Ogah through his Media Centre expressed concern over the incident of cyberbullying, fabrication of propaganda, or hiring of online attackers 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.
“While we respect everyone’s right to pursue political ambition, we firmly maintain that such ambition must be pursued honourably.
“Leadership cannot be built on cyberbullying, fabricated propaganda, or the hiring of online attackers. Responsible politics requires selling ideas, not sponsoring falsehood.
“For now, we continue to observe the situation closely, patiently, and with full confidence in the due process already underway.
“The long arm of the law is in motion, and sooner or later, the full network behind this orchestrated defamation campaign will be exposed.
“When that time comes, those who engineered and financed it will have no choice but to face the consequences of their actions,” he stated.
