NGE laments Harassment, Intimidation, Prosecution of Journalists by Security Agencies

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has raised concerns over the increasing harassment, intimidation and prosecution of journalists by security agencies, warning that such actions could undermine press freedom and legitimate journalism practice.

The Guild also called on the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a communiqué signed by Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, President and General Secretary respectively, issued at the end of its Standing Committee meeting held in Kano, the Guild said it was particularly concerned about the use of cybercrime legislation and other laws in ways that could restrict legitimate journalism, stressing that freedom of the press remained a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance.

It urged governments at all levels and members of the public to respect press freedom and engage constructively with the media rather than resorting to threats, intimidation or violence against journalists and media organisations.

According to the Guild, aggrieved individuals and organisations should channel complaints through the Media Ombudsman established jointly by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), NGE, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

"Governments at all levels and members of the public should uphold and respect freedom of the press as a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance. It calls for constructive engagement with the media and urges aggrieved parties to channel complaints through the Media Ombudsman established jointly by the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), rather than resorting to threats, intimidation or violence against journalists and media organisations."

On the 2027 elections, the editors called on the Federal and state governments to provide an enabling environment for all political parties and their candidates to campaign freely and fairly.

It specifically urged authorities to allow the lawful outdoor display of party symbols and the airing of campaign slogans, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies involved in preparations for the elections to ensure that all parties, including the ruling and opposition parties, are treated fairly and without discrimination.

The Guild said a level playing field was essential to building public confidence, trust and electoral integrity, while charging politicians and political parties to focus their campaigns on issues, shun inflammatory rhetoric and strictly adhere to the rules governing political campaigns as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all other agencies involved in preparations for the 2027 general election should ensure a level playing field for all political parties, including the ruling and opposition parties, without bias or discrimination. This, it notes, is essential to building public confidence, trust and electoral integrity."

The NGE further urged the media to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in reporting, with fairness, objectivity, accuracy and factuality guiding their coverage.

On the economy, the Guild called on the Federal Government to remain steadfast in implementing its reforms while ensuring that the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians remained at the centre of its policies and actions.

It expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of federal roads across the country, saying the situation had imposed enormous hardship on motorists, commuters and businesses.

The editors therefore urged the Federal Government to redouble its efforts towards the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads to facilitate the movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activities.

"We are concerned about the deteriorating condition of federal roads across the country, which has imposed enormous hardship on motorists, commuters and businesses. The Federal Government should redouble its efforts towards the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads to facilitate the free movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activities.,"

The Guild commended Nigeria’s security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality. It, however, called for sustained and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and national unity.

"We commend the nation’s security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality. We call for sustained and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and national unity.:

The Standing Committee expressed appreciation to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, as well as the government and people of the state, for providing an enabling environment for the meeting.

The Guild reaffirmed that good governance, the welfare of the people, peace, progress and respect for democratic values remained essential pillars of a stable and prosperous society.

Credit Nigerian Guild of Editors PR

The Prolonged Detention of el-Rufai: Due Process preserves Public Trust

The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) is a multi-stakeholder civil society platform committed to national transformation through ethical leadership, good governance, and inclusive development.

We restate our full support for measures that advance public integrity and curtail corruption in all its ramifications. Corruption erodes the social contract and must be confronted decisively.

Crucially, however, the credibility of the anti-corruption drive depends on one non-negotiable foundation: the rule of law. No person, irrespective of their social status, is above the law. This equality before the law applies to individuals and organisations, governments and their agencies alike. In the same vein, no process must be conducted in a manner that makes citizens perceive legitimate prosecution as political persecution.

It is in this spirit that we express concern over the continued detention of Malam Nasir el-Rufai, a former Governor of Kaduna State, for over 200 days by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in relation to bailable offences.

Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) stand as the twin pillars of constitutional liberty, rule of law, and due process.

While Section 35 guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty and to trial within a reasonable time, Section 36 ensures the right to a fair, public, and impartial hearing, anchored on the presumption of innocence.

Collectively, these provisions ensure that no individual can be arbitrarily stripped of their physical freedom or condemned without full compliance with the rule of law.

When detention extends far beyond what is reasonable, the implications transcend the individual involved. As we are currently witnessing, it sparks broader institutional concerns and public debates about the fairness and predictability of the process - factors that ultimately undermine public confidence in our justice system.

Due process is not a mere technicality. It is the moral authority upon which the anti-corruption fight stands. A matter before the court is not a conviction; ICPC custody is not a prison sentence.

To this end, NDD calls on the Attorney General of the Federation and the leadership of the ICPC to:

1. Immediately review the basis and duration of the ongoing detention;

2. Ensure strict compliance with constitutional timelines and bail provisions; and

3. Proceed with prosecution, where applicable, in open court and without delay, so that justice is not only done, but seen to be done.

Nigeria’s progress depends on the capacity of the state and its agents to effectively lead by two foundational governing ideals: accountability for public office and fidelity to due process. We cannot sacrifice one to achieve the other.

The Network urges public institutions to act in a manner that strengthens trust, not suspicion. To preserve integrity and legitimacy, the fight against corruption must be anchored in law, clear evidence, and unimpeachable transparency.

The ongoing prosecution of Malam Nasir El-Rufai must, therefore, proceed without any hint of persecution. We all must come under the rule of law.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Dangote Refinery IPO: It's a landmark moment for Nigeria, Africa’s Capital Market, says Aig-Imoukhuede

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Coronation Group, says the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE will deepen Nigeria’s capital market and support economic growth.

A statement signed on Tuesday by Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman, Coronation Group after the Opening Gong Ceremony and Facts Behind the Offer Presentation at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), described the IPO as a landmark moment for Nigeria and Africa’s capital market.

He said the IPO demonstrated the market’s capacity to mobilise capital for large-scale productive enterprises.

According to him, the offer will broaden participation in wealth creation by giving Nigerians and other investors an opportunity to own stakes in a major African industrial enterprise.

He said the development underscored the wider role of capital market in economic development beyond providing financing for businesses.

Imoukhuede said the Dangote initiative had demonstrated how the capital market could support the growth of national and continental economies.

“Aliko Dangote has consistently championed a capital market where Nigerian companies could grow while the prosperity created by African businesses is shared more broadly.

“Vision attracts capital, governance preserves capital, and talent and execution compounds capital,” Aig-Imoukhuede said.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, was also quoted in the statement as describing the offer as a significant development for Nigeria and Africa.

“The IPO demonstrates Africa’s growing capacity to mobilise and deploy capital for its own economic development.

“Today, we are witnessing a company that is changing the landscape of what is possible in Africa.

“We are demonstrating once again that Africa can finance and invest in Africa,” he said.

The statement also quoted Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited as saying that the offer would widen participation in Nigeria’s capital market.

Dangote said the initiative would enable more Nigerians and African investors to participate in the value created by leading African businesses.

“We want to share prosperity more broadly with our people. That is the ideal we are working towards,” he said.

He said he had remained committed to the transformation and democratisation of the Nigerian Exchange.

Dangote commended Imoukhuede’s contributions toward making the capital market more accessible to citizens.

“The offer provides investors and members of the public with an opportunity to participate in the growth of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

“The development is also expected to strengthen the ability of Nigeria’s capital market to attract domestic and international investment into productive sectors of the economy.

“It could encourage more Nigerian businesses to access the capital market, creating additional avenues for financing expansion, investment and job creation,” Dangote was quoted in the statement as saying.

The statement said that the opening of the IPO highlighted the increasing role of Nigerian investors in financing major enterprises and supporting the country’s long-term economic transformation.

It advised prospective investors to study the offer documents carefully, understand the applicable terms and risks, and assess the investment before subscribing.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline