A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the African Union of Journalists (AUJ), Lanre Ogundipe, has condemned the arrest and continued detention of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, warning that the growing trend of treating journalists as fugitives poses a serious threat to the rule of law, press freedom and Nigeria’s democratic development.
Ogundipe, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the incident as one that transcends the personal liberty of the detained journalist, arguing that it raises broader concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the media in a constitutional democracy. Blueprint reports
According to him, journalists performing their legitimate constitutional responsibilities should not be subjected to intimidation or arbitrary detention simply because they publish information that may be uncomfortable to individuals in positions of authority.
Concern over treatment of journalists
The veteran journalist said the arrest of Stanley Ugagbe reflects what he described as an unhealthy pattern in which journalists are increasingly treated as criminals instead of professionals carrying out their constitutional mandate of informing the public.
He noted that where a journalist is alleged to have violated any law, the Nigerian Constitution and existing statutes provide established legal procedures for investigation, invitation and prosecution.
Ogundipe argued that resorting to secret arrests, prolonged detention, confiscation of work tools and other coercive measures undermines the credibility of law enforcement institutions rather than strengthening them.
According to him, adherence to due process remains essential in any democratic society governed by the rule of law.
He stressed that public confidence in security agencies depends largely on their willingness to respect constitutional safeguards while carrying out their responsibilities.
Media not an enemy of the state
Ogundipe maintained that the media should not be viewed as an adversary of government or an extension of state authority.
Instead, he described journalism as a constitutional institution established to serve the public interest through the dissemination of information, promotion of accountability and scrutiny of those entrusted with public office.
He warned that attempts to criminalise journalism through arbitrary law enforcement actions amount to an assault on democratic principles. pressfreedom.com
According to him, such actions not only diminish the dignity of the law but also weaken the democratic institutions that Nigerians have struggled for decades to build and sustain.
He added that a vibrant and independent press remains indispensable to transparent governance and responsible leadership.
Reflection on decades of journalism
Drawing from his nearly five decades in the journalism profession, Ogundipe expressed deep concern over what he described as a gradual return to practices reminiscent of periods of repression experienced before Nigeria’s democratic transition.
The former NUJ and AUJ President recalled that journalists and media practitioners made enormous sacrifices during years of military rule in pursuit of democratic governance and constitutional freedoms.
He said it was regrettable that, after those sacrifices, members of the media continue to face actions capable of creating fear within the profession and discouraging legitimate public interest journalism.
According to him, democracy should create an environment where journalists can perform their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation or fear of unlawful arrest.
Calls for immediate release
Ogundipe therefore called on the relevant authorities to release Stanley Ugagbe without delay unless there exists sufficient legal grounds to arraign him promptly before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He maintained that continued detention without following established judicial procedures would undermine the principles of justice and due process.
Beyond the immediate case, he urged law enforcement agencies across the country to fundamentally reassess their engagement with journalists and media organisations.
According to him, respecting the rights of journalists is consistent with the constitutional obligations of security agencies and strengthens public trust in democratic institutions.
Democracy measured by protection of rights
The former union leader further argued that the strength of any democracy is determined not by how it treats individuals who support those in authority but by how it safeguards the rights of citizens whose professional responsibilities require them to question and scrutinise government actions.
He warned that suppressing journalism through intimidation or arbitrary arrests ultimately weakens democratic governance and limits citizens’ access to information.
Ogundipe concluded that a nation which treats its journalists as fugitives inevitably diminishes the dignity of its own laws and erodes the foundations upon which democracy is built.
His remarks come amid growing concerns among media stakeholders over the safety of journalists and the need for greater protection of press freedom as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.