SOWORE: CPJ kicks as Nigerian govt goes after Sahara Reporters, freezes account

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Wednesday urged the Nigerian authorities to halt all efforts aimed at intimidating journalists working with the Sahara Reporters.

The staff of Sahara Reporters had told the CPJ that the platform’s account with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) was frozen without advance notice in October.

The website, according to the staff, was also disabled twice due to alleged copyright infringements.

The Sahara Reporters’ Chief Operating Officer, La Keisha Landrum Pierre, told CPJ the outlet has struggled to pay operating costs and salaries since the account was frozen by the government.

“The platform did not publish on November 10,” he said.

The Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony at the Federal High Court, Abuja, after he spearheaded a protest against perceived misrule by the present administration.

Read also: SOWORE: UK wants Nigerian govt to respect rule of law

He was arrested in August and has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since that period.

The CPJ’s Africa Programme Coordinator, Angela Quintal, said the Committee has not been able to confirm a connection between the activist’s arrest and his journalism, but would continue to investigate the case.

She said: “The site conducts aggressive reporting on corruption, according to CPJ review of its reporting. Its founder, Omoyele Sowore, is in Department of State Services (DSS) custody after organizing August protests calling for improved governance. CPJ is unable to confirm a connection between Sowore’s arrest and his journalism, but will continue to investigate the case.

“Sahara Reporters must be permitted to keep the Nigerian public informed without intimidation. Surveillance, cyber attacks, and copyright notices against Sahara Reporters mark a concerning pattern of interference and harassment of an investigative news outlet.”

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