Sep 3, 2023Sep 3, 2023

SERAP Files Lawsuit Against Tinubu for Alleged ‘Unlawful Ban of 25 Journalists from Presidential Villa Coverage’

Posted By: Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team 0 Comment

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against President Bola Tinubu in response to the “unlawful ban and revocation of accreditations for 25 journalists and media outlets covering the Presidential Villa.”

Recently, the Federal Government withdrew accreditation from 25 journalists covering Presidential Villa activities in Abuja. These journalists were instructed to surrender their accreditation tags at the main entrance of the Presidential Villa.

In a recent lawsuit, identified as suit number FHC/L/CS/1766/23, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is requesting an order to compel President Tinubu to reverse the revocation of accreditations and the ban imposed on 25 journalists and media organizations from covering the Presidential Villa.

SERAP also seeks a perpetual injunction to prevent President Tinubu or any other authority, individual, or group from arbitrarily and unilaterally revoking journalists’ accreditations and media houses’ access to the Presidential Villa.

Additionally, SERAP is seeking a declaration that the withdrawal and revocation of accreditation tags, as well as the ban on journalists and media outlets without lawful justification, infringe upon fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, access to information, participation, and media freedom.

In this lawsuit, SERAP argues that if the ban on journalists covering the Presidential Villa is not reversed, it could set a precedent for further acts of arbitrariness, ultimately limiting people’s rights to freedom of expression, access to information, participation, and media freedom.

The suit is filed on behalf of SERAP by its legal representatives: Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Ms. Valentina Adegoke. SERAP’s legal argument emphasizes that the withdrawal of journalists’ accreditations lacks legal justification and is inconsistent with principles of pluralism, diversity, non-discrimination, democratic society, and the public interest.

The statement reads…..

“The prohibition of journalists from covering the Presidential Villa fails to align with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”

“The media serves as a vital conduit for the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information, both individually and collectively, within a democratic society.”

“The presence of a free, independent, robust, diverse, and pluralistic media is indispensable for the effective operation of a democratic society.”

“The unfettered flow of ideas and news is only attainable in the presence of a multitude of information sources and media outlets. A lack of diversity in information sources poses a substantial impediment to the functioning of democracy.”

“The exercise of the right to freedom of expression through the media is a foundational guarantee for advancing collective deliberation on public and democratic matters.”

“Strengthening the assurance of freedom of expression is a prerequisite for exercising other human rights, as well as for the right to participate in an informed and reasoned manner.”

“In accordance with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory, freedom and diversity must be guiding principles in measures promoting media freedom. The prohibition of the 25 journalists is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with these principles.”

“The Federal Government should strive to enhance and broaden the scope of media freedom, access to information, freedom of expression, and citizen participation, rather than curtailing these fundamental liberties.”

“Excluding these journalists and media outlets from covering the Presidential Villa obstructs them from fulfilling their legitimate constitutional duties.”

“The revocation of the journalists’ accreditation tags directly infringes upon media freedom and human rights, including access to information and the right to participate. It could significantly inhibit news gathering and reporting functions and may lead to self-censorship.”

“The withdrawal of the journalists’ accreditations erects barriers between Nigerians and essential information about their government’s operations, which they have a constitutional right to receive.”

“Media freedom, access to information, and the right to participate are essential for maintaining an open and accountable government. These freedoms hold such paramount importance in a democracy that they outweigh vague claims of ‘security concerns and overcrowding of the press gallery area.'”

“On August 18, 2023, the Federal Government reportedly withdrew the accreditation tags of approximately 25 journalists and media houses, preventing them from covering activities at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.”

“The banned journalists reportedly include those from Vanguard newspaper, Galaxy TV, Ben TV, MITV, ITV Abuja, PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty. Other media personnel affected by the withdrawal are primarily reporters and cameramen representing various broadcast, print, and online media outlets.”

“Under section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, mass media, including ‘the press, radio, television, and other mass media agencies,’ shall always be free to uphold the fundamental objectives outlined in this Chapter and ensure the government’s responsibility and accountability to the people.”

“Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution stipulates that ‘the people’s participation in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.'”

“Similarly, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantees ‘Every individual shall have the right to receive information. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate their opinions.'”

“Article 13 of the Charter also states that ‘Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of their country. Every citizen shall have the right to equal access to the public service of their country. Every individual shall have the right of access to public property and services.'”

“Articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights contain similar provisions.”

“No date has been set for the hearing of the lawsuit.”

Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team

Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is the team responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing news and feature content on Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, and responsibly sourced information. The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team researches, writes, edits, and publishes news and feature content covering Nigerian current affairs, entertainment, sports, health, business, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide accurate, timely, and responsibly sourced information and update our reports when credible new information becomes available. The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available. We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story. Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. Team BIo: The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available. We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story. Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. Editorial Policy: At Julian Daily Gist, our goal is to provide readers with timely, useful, accurate, and responsibly presented news and information. We cover Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, human-interest stories, and other topics of interest to our readers. 1. Accuracy and Verification We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information published on Julian Daily Gist is accurate and presented in its proper context. Before publishing a report, our editorial team makes reasonable efforts to: - Check information against credible sources. - Verify names, dates, locations, figures, and other important details. - Attribute information to the appropriate source. - Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims, opinions, and speculation. - Update stories when credible new information becomes available. When information cannot be independently verified, we make this clear to readers rather than presenting it as established fact. 2. Sources We use a range of sources, including: - Official government statements. - Police and security agencies. - Courts and legal documents. - Government agencies. - Direct interviews and statements. - Reputable news organizations. - Publicly available records. - Verified social media accounts and statements. When an article relies substantially on information reported by another publication, we aim to clearly attribute the information to that source. We do not intentionally present another publication's reporting as our own. 3. Originality Julian Daily Gist aims to provide original editorial value. When we report information that has already been published elsewhere, we seek to add value through original writing, context, verification, analysis, additional information, or other useful material. We do not intentionally copy and republish articles from other websites without appropriate attribution and meaningful editorial contribution. 4. Allegations and Sensitive Claims When reporting allegations involving individuals or organizations, we make reasonable efforts to clearly identify allegations as allegations. We avoid presenting unproven accusations as established facts. Where relevant, we seek or include responses from the person, organization, or representative concerned. For criminal matters, we recognize that an allegation, arrest, charge, or accusation does not by itself establish guilt. 5. Headlines Our headlines are intended to accurately reflect the content of our articles. We aim to avoid deliberately misleading headlines, fabricated claims, or headlines that exaggerate facts simply to generate clicks. 6. Corrections and Updates We take corrections seriously. If we discover that an article contains a significant factual error, we may correct or update the article as appropriate. Readers who identify an error are encouraged to contact us with specific information supporting the correction. Where appropriate, significant corrections or updates may be noted within the article. 7. Editorial Independence Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners, and other external interests. Advertising or sponsorship does not automatically influence our editorial decisions or the opinions expressed by our writers. 8. Sponsored and Promotional Content Where Julian Daily Gist publishes sponsored, paid, or promotional content, we aim to clearly identify it as such. Sponsored content does not necessarily represent the independent editorial views of Julian Daily Gist. 9. Conflicts of Interest Our editorial team should avoid situations where personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence reporting. Where a relevant conflict of interest exists, we aim to disclose it when appropriate. 10. Use of Images and Other Media We aim to use images, videos, graphics, and other media responsibly and with appropriate permission, licensing, attribution, or other lawful basis where required. We do not knowingly use copyrighted material in a manner that infringes the rights of its owner. If you believe that material published on Julian Daily Gist infringes your copyright, please contact us so that we can review the matter. 11. Artificial Intelligence We may use technology and artificial intelligence tools to assist with certain editorial tasks, such as research support, proofreading, formatting, transcription, or drafting assistance. However, AI-generated information is not treated as automatically accurate. Content remains subject to human review, editing, fact-checking, and editorial judgment before publication where appropriate. We do not intentionally publish fabricated information generated by AI. 12. Privacy and Personal Information We take reasonable care when handling personal information and avoid publishing unnecessary private information about individuals. Sensitive personal information is published only when there is a legitimate public-interest reason and where appropriate. Our handling of visitor information is explained in our Privacy Policy. 13. Opinion and Commentary Opinion articles and commentary represent the views expressed by the respective writer or contributor. Where appropriate, opinion content will be identified as commentary, analysis, or opinion so that readers can distinguish it from straightforward news reporting. 14. User-Generated Content Comments and other material submitted by readers may be moderated. We reserve the right to remove content that is unlawful, defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, misleading, threatening, spam-related, or otherwise inappropriate. User comments do not necessarily represent the views of Julian Daily Gist. 15. Our Commitment We are committed to improving the quality, accuracy, transparency, and usefulness of Julian Daily Gist. As our publication grows, we will continue reviewing our editorial practices and updating this policy when necessary. 16. Contact and Corrections If you have a correction, clarification, complaint, copyright concern, or question about our editorial practices, please contact us through our Contact Us page.