By Gabriel Ogunjobi
A human rights lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, has recommended undercover reporter, Fisayo Soyombo, for national awards.
Soyombo, he said, should be recognised for exposing the rots in the justice and prison system based on his three-part investigation published during the week.
He said rather than being charged for espionage, the journalist should be praised for his expose.
Effiong, in a chat with our correspondent, said: “A journalist has the constitutional right under Section 22 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He should, in fact, be given a national award. You cannot imprison somebody for exposing criminality. Part of the responsibility of a citizen is to expose crime. No valid charge can be brought against him.
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“He only exercised his constitutional obligation. According to the Section 22 of the law, constitutional independence and protection of the media is guaranteed which specifically states that the press shall be free to hold the government accountable and expose the ills within the government. So, it will be absolutely ridiculous for any prosecutor to contemplate filing charges against him.”
He dismissed the purported espionage charge, saying: “He doesn’t work in the government neither has he leaked any classified information. That charge is applied when you’re releasing information that threatens national security.
‘Undercover journalism is allowed under the law. The government cannot classify exposing crime as a state secret. His expose should not merit prosecution, but national recognition’, he reaffirmed.
When contacted Frank Mba, Police spokesman simply told our correspondent that it was not in his ‘character to respond to rumors.’
The Comptroller of the NCoS, Ja’afaru Ahmed had also denied any attempt to arrest the investigative journalist.
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