In a bold move, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against President Bola Tinubu, filing a lawsuit over the “unlawful ban and withdrawal of the accreditations of 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”
The controversy arose when the Federal Government recently revoked the accreditations of approximately 25 journalists who had been diligently covering events in the Presidential Villa in Abuja. These journalists were reportedly given instructions to surrender their accreditation tags at the main entrance of the Presidential Villa.
In a lawsuit bearing the number FHC/L/CS/1766/23, which was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is seeking a compelling order that would require President Tinubu to reverse the revocation of accreditations and the ban imposed on the 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.
SERAP, represented by its legal team consisting of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Ms. Valentina Adegoke, argued that the ban on these journalists failed to meet the necessary criteria of legality, necessity, and proportionality. They emphasized the crucial role of the media in a democratic society as a means of exercising freedom of expression and providing access to information.
The lawsuit further contended that the withdrawal of accreditation tags directly infringed upon media freedom and human rights, including the right to access information and participate in the democratic process. It expressed concerns that such actions could lead to self-censorship and the creation of barriers between Nigerians and critical government information, which they have a constitutional right to receive.
The journalists affected by this ban reportedly represent various media outlets, including Vanguard newspaper, Galaxy TV, Ben TV, MITV, ITV Abuja, PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty. Most of those affected are reporters and cameramen working across broadcast, print, and online media platforms.
The lawsuit also invoked sections of the Nigerian Constitution, highlighting that the mass media, including the press, radio, television, and other agencies, should always be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in the Constitution and ensure the government’s accountability to the people.
Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution, which stipulates that “the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution,” was also referenced in the suit.
As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case, leaving many to watch with keen interest as this legal battle unfolds.