Prison officials attached to the Ebonyi State Command have violently assaulted journalists covering proceedings at the State High Court in Abakaliki.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who made this known said the prison officials engaged in a violent confrontation with journalists at the court.
The lawyer said the prison officials attacked and assaulted crew members of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in an attempt to seize their camera while covering the court proceedings.
Ejiofor said, “These officials physically assaulted an NTA crew member in a desperate attempt to seize their camera, violating the fundamental right of journalists to cover court proceedings
“This blatant attack on press freedom is unacceptable. I call on the Comptroller General of Prisons to immediately rein in the Ebonyi State Command and ensure that such misconduct does not go unpunished.
“Even more troubling is that the Defendants/36 inmates, in this case have already been discharged and acquitted on three different occasions from various baseless charges.”
“Why, then, is there such a desperate attempt to suppress media coverage?” he asked.
He added, “The world is watching! The press must be allowed to perform their constitutional duty without fear of intimidation or violence.”