. . .Calls For Review of Cybercrime Act of 2024
The Rejuvenation Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Mr Dele Atunbi for NUJ President, has lauded the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over its bold step, directing its members having an account with the Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTBank) to close down their accounts immediately.
In a statement e-signed by Ado Adamu Also, Director General
Rejuvenation Campaign Council.
(Vice Chairman, Taraba State Council of NUJ), Tuesday and made available to Journalists reads in part:
“While applauding the Ogun NUJ Council’s directive, the Rejuvenation Council, called for the urgent need for a critical review of the Cybercrime Act of 2024, to enable journalists carry out their legitimate work of informing, enlightening and educating the public without hindrance and in keeping with democratic practice and norms that preaches transparency.
“The Rejuvenation Council also notes that the decision of the Ogun State Council of the NUJ comes after a member of the union, Seun Odunlami and others have been in detention for over seven weeks in connection with an investigative report involving GTBank and its CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
“This is just as the Rejuvenation Council enjoined members of the union in Ogun state to abide with the directive of the Ogun NUJ leadership as part of the needed solidarity, and oneness of our great union, stressing that “injustice to one is injustice to all”.
The Rejuvenation Council reiterates the commitment and determination of its presidential candidate; Dele Atunbi, towards ensuring the protection of the rights of journalists in Nigeria when he gets elected as the President of NUJ in the coming election.
A statement on Tuesday, the Rejuvenation Council describes the long detention of Seun Odunlami and others as an abuse of their fundamental human rights, stressing that the Cybercrime Act of 2024 should be amended to prevent abuse as a tool for censorship and intimidation of journalists in the country.
“The Cybercrime Act 2024 has buoyed hopes for improved press freedom as the law encumbers journalists and put them at risk of arrest and unnecessary surveillance.
The Rejuvenation Council urges concern authorities to strictly uphold and respect the rights of citizens, especially journalists who are contributing immensely to the growth and development of the country.
The Council notes that journalists have recently been arrested under the Cybercrime Act in the course of their duties, thus, the need for a review, especially the sections that hindered press freedom.
