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Release of Journalist in Nigeria Fails to Satisfy Press Freedom Advocates

Timothy Obiezu

   ABUJA, NIGERIA - The release of journalist and activist
   OmoyeleSoworefrom a Nigerian prison thisweekhas triggered negative
   reactions from press freedom advocates in the country, with one calling
   it "still a loss" for Nigeria.

   Supporters and journalists chatteredin excitementTuesdayat Department
   of State Security headquarters in Abuja as a vehicle
   carryingSoworeapproached. He stepped out and spoke about his Christmas
   Eve release after being held since August, despite two court orders
   calling for his immediate freedom.

   "The only thing is to thank Nigerians; they made this happen and they
   should not relent," he said. "Nobody can take a people who are
   determined for granted."

   The journalist was arrested days ahead of a nationwide"Revolution
   Now"protest againstwhat Sowore and his supporters say isbad governance
   in Nigeria.

   Good example

   Authorities saidthe decision to release thejournalistwas intended to
   set a good example of compliance with the law.Critics, however,
   faultedthe government for attaching restrictions to the release,
   including a travel ban and limits on public association.

   Human rights lawyerMarshall Abubakarsaid, "The release is not a win. As
   a matter of fact,I think it's still a loss for Nigeria.'ŠThe attorney
   general of the federation, AbubakarMalami, made a statement that he has
   taken over the case of Mr. OmoyeleSowole. We've always insisted that
   the charges in the first place should not even be."

   Critics considerSowore'sarrest and detention an effort by the Nigerian
   government to censor the press and clamp down on free opinion.

   Although authorities deny the accusation, President Muhammadu Buhari's
   media aide,GarbaShehu,saidin a statement thatSowore'scriticism ofthe
   government camefrom an advantaged position as a journalist and
   publisher ofSahara Reporters, aNew York-based online news organization.

   Acoalition endorsing the protection of whistleblowers and press freedom
   in Nigeria saidthere had beenmore than 70 attacks on journalists and
   the media this year alone in the country.

   Protester beaten

   An incident Monday, barely 24 hours beforeSowore'srelease, resulted in
   injuries to protesters and journalists. The leader of the
   protest,DejiAdeyanju, was badly beaten andwas being treated in Dubai.

   Human rights activist Adebayo Raphael, whowas among protesters at the
   Monday incident, said, "It is important that this kind of repressive
   environment is not allowed to thrive. Do you know that in the last four
   years, human rights and rule of law have been seriously battered in
   Nigeria?"

   Abubakar accusedthe government of trying to hide its shortcomings.
   "There's a calculated attempt by the government to gag the media to
   ensure that people do not expose their inadequacies, incompetence or
   express dissent," he said. "We all cannot have the same opinion on
   issues. We all cannot agree at all times on all things."

   In 2015, Nigerian authorities used a cybercrime law to justify the
   arrest of bloggers and journalists.Lawmakersnoware considering two
   bills to regulate free speech on the internet and social media.

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