The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused security agencies of attempting to criminalise investigative journalism, alleging that the reported arrest of SecretsReporters journalist Stanley Ugagbe and the police invitation extended to the newspaper’s publisher, Fejiro Oliver, represent a dangerous escalation in what it described as growing intimidation of the media.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, HURIWA condemned the alleged abduction, incommunicado detention and continued harassment of Ugagbe, while expressing concern over reports that Oliver had been invited by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre over allegations bordering on espionage and computer-related offences linked to investigative reports published by the online newspaper.
The rights group said if the reports are accurate, they signal a disturbing attempt to portray investigative journalism as a criminal enterprise, warning that such actions threaten constitutionally guaranteed press freedom and democratic accountability.
Signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA argued that journalists who expose alleged corruption, abuse of office and matters of public interest should not be branded as spies or enemies of the state.
The organisation cited Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which assigns the media the responsibility of holding government accountable, insisting that investigative reporting is a constitutional duty rather than an act of espionage.
HURIWA further alleged that Ugagbe was intercepted by armed men in plain clothes, handcuffed, blindfolded, taken to his residence where work equipment was confiscated, and detained without immediate public disclosure of his whereabouts.
According to the group, if established, such actions would amount to serious violations of the journalist’s constitutional rights to liberty, dignity and fair hearing.
The organisation also expressed concern over reports that Oliver was allegedly accused of leaking government information to foreign governments because of investigative reports published by his media platform, warning that such allegations could intimidate journalists and discourage critical reporting across the country.
“A democratic government should welcome scrutiny, not wage war against those who ask difficult questions,” HURIWA said, insisting that where publications are considered false or defamatory, the appropriate remedy lies in lawful judicial processes rather than arbitrary arrests or sweeping allegations of espionage.
The group called on the Nigeria Police Force to provide a transparent explanation regarding the circumstances surrounding Ugagbe’s reported arrest and detention, ensure full respect for his constitutional rights, and grant him immediate access to his family and legal representatives.
It also demanded the withdrawal of any action aimed at portraying investigative journalism as espionage without credible evidence beyond the lawful publication of matters of public interest, while urging an end to what it described as the growing use of security agencies and cybercrime laws to intimidate journalists.
HURIWA further urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate its commitment to democratic governance by protecting press freedom, warning that Nigeria’s democracy cannot flourish if journalists are allegedly treated as criminals for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in HURIWA’s statement.