The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Wednesday condemned “the blatant intimidation, harassment, and attacks on journalists and media houses by the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi.
SERAP, in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, also flayed the governor’s decision to ban two journalists —Chijioke Agwu of the Sun Newspaper and Peter Okutu of Vanguard —from entering the state Government House and government facilities for life.
The journalists and media houses were reportedly banned over a report on the Lassa fever outbreak in the state. 
SERAP described governor Umahi’s action as a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
The statement read: “We will pursue appropriate legal action nationally and internationally against Ebonyi State authorities if this illegality is not reversed within 48 hours of the publication of this statement.
“We urge Governor David Umahi to show a greater level of transparency and accountability by immediately reversing the purported ban, and allowing journalists and media houses to freely cover the activities of his government.
“Nigerians expect their leaders to show a greater level of transparency and accountability and to explain and take responsibility for what they are doing rather than threatening, intimidating, harassing and banning journalists and media houses from covering their public functions.
“These journalists and media houses are simply doing their work and playing their constitutional roles.
“The ban clearly runs counter to the notion of a free marketplace of ideas, necessary to serve the best interests of the public. Barring journalists undermines Nigeria’s pledges on democratic reforms and the rule of law and must stop now.”
