By CHARLES IWUOHA

A forum of professionals of Ebonyi State origin resident in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, the Ebonyi Transparency and Accountability Network (E-TAN), has described as arbitrary, the recent arrest and detention of two journalists at the instance of the Ebonyi State Government.

The group’s position was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by its President, Ikechukwu Okogwu.

News Express recalls that the police in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, had arrested Chijioke Agwu, a correspondent with the The Sun Newspaper, and Peter Okutu, a reporter with the Vanguard Newspaper and held them for hours. They were only released after criticisms by the citizens and the civil society oganisations.

The Government did not stop at that as Governor David Umahi banned them “for life” from the Government House and all State government’s buildings.

In the words of the Governor, “If you think you have the pen, we have the koboko (horse whip). Ebonyi people are very angry with the press and let me warn that I won’t be able to control them or know when they unleash mayhem on you, if you continue to write to create panic.”

Reacting to the incident on Saturday, E-TAN said: “We have keenly followed incidents as reported on Nigerian mainstream media with respect to successive arrests of two journalists in Ebonyi State; firstly, Chijioke Agwu of The Sun Newspaper on Saturday, April 18, 2020 and secondly, Peter Okutu of Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday April 21, 2020; as ordered by the Governor Umahi and the Ohaukwu Local Government Area Chairman, Clement Odah, respectively.

“We learned that both arrests were carried out following alleged false reports made by both correspondents on behalf of the above Newspapers and that they were, however, released afterwards. These incidents were followed by a life ban of both reporters from the Government House or any government facility in the state, by the Governor of Ebonyi State.

“We note that there are acceptable civil and legal channels for individuals, groups and governments to follow in addressing any perceived infringement with respect to falsehood or defamation by any media outfit. Our expectation was that the Government of Ebonyi State and the Ohaukwu LGA Chairman should have exploited those channels in the circumstances, rather than resort to arrest of the reporters using security operatives.”

The group condemned both arrests, describing them as “arbitrary and assaults on press freedom, both journalists and the Newspapers which they represent. We also condemn the arbitrariness in the subsequent life ban from the Government House or any government facility in the state, as placed on the duo by the Governor of Ebonyi State.

“We, therefore, appeal to the State Government and Ohaukwu LGA to review their actions and position on the matter, with a view to “mending fences with both arrested journalists and the Newspapers which they represent and exploring proper civil and legal channels for addressing any purported falsehood or defamation in the reportage by the reporters and newspapers involved.

“These measures will ensure that the media and journalists conduct their activities professionally in Ebonyi State without fear of harassment or undue victimization.

“They will also foster the complementary relationship between the press and governmental authorities in the development and sustenance of any given democratic system, bringing to fore developmental activities, milestones and challenges of the state.

“We reiterate our commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability and ultimately good governance in Ebonyi State, and pledge our support to and cooperation with stakeholders who pursue similar goals.”