Imo NUJ Condemns Sealing Of Owerri Based Radio Station, Attacks On Journalists, Urges Uzodimma To Caution Aides

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Council has called on Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to caution his aides over their over zealous and violent disposition against The Media and Journalists.

The call was not unconnected with the reported sealing of Owerri based Radio Station, Reach FM 104.9fm, Owerri, by agents suspected to have come from Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA).

The station is said to be owned by the embattled former governor Rochas Okorocha.

The union did not also fail to condemn what it described as incessant attacks on media practitioners in Imo State by state government agents.

According to its statement signed Precious Nwadike, Caretaker Committee Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Austin Okoro made available to NewsTrack Nigeria, “It is fast assuming an alarming proportion in Imo State and more disturbingly, under a governor who before assuming office, had been widely perceived as a broad-minded humanitarian and jolly good philanthropist.

“We are still at a loss as to what had gone wrong to warrant the seeming reputation summersault.”

The union said its inquiries revealed that the radio station was sealed following altercations its staff had with the general manager of OCDA, Mr Innocent Ikpamezie.

According to the union, “We do not intend to dwell on who was at fault or not but wish to advise that those in authorities should always resort to the rule of law in seeking redress.

“Much as the union has held a firm position on the recent whitepaper released by the state government in which we pledged support to the government in its efforts to recover every property that belongs to the state, we do not support any form of political vendetta from any quarter.

“No doubt, ex-governor Rochas Okorocha’s regime was characterised by brazen abuse of court orders and due process but two wrongs cannot make a right. We therefore advise Governor Uzodinma’s administration to concern itself with recovering those public property already captured in the whitepaper.

“As a professional body, we shall not also tolerate any situation whereby any journalist will hide under the gullible excuse of carrying out their constitutionally empowered duties to run down anybody, institution or office in violation of the ground rules and guiding ethics of our practice.

“The public is advised to report any journalist found in such misconduct to the council for necessary action instead of resorting to brutish self-help or taking laws into their hands.

The union recalled how Punch reporter Chidiebube Okeoma was battered by agents suspected to be of OCDA and security guards attached to the government house.

Meanwhile, there has not been any official statement from any government official or agencies.

“Instead, what we learnt is that a former commissioner, having thrown decency to the dogs, had gone to town blackmailing the battered journalist, in the laughable hope of brow-beating him to abandon his right to redress and justice.”

The union therefore demanded explanations from the state government on its measures to address the incessant attacks on newsmen in the state, warning that government officials gagging journalists in the state are ‘inadvertently setting up the government for a crashing disappointment’.

Our correspondent gathered that the station was attacked on Friday at 11am by some staffers of the OCDA allegedly wielding machetes, guns and amulets.

The incident followed a live programme that featured residents of Amakohia, who discussed alleged demolition of their homes by the OCDA without prior notice.

The CEO of the station, Frank Idemudia Alapa, told newsmen that an official of the agency was called for clarifications, but shortly after, the station was surrounded by over forty alleged armed men who also attacked the personnel of the company, as well as stole some property.

Precisepost quotes Mr Alapa to have said, “I and about six other persons, including the admin manager, the station’s marketer, an OAP and some other persons were injured in the confusion.

“Right now, I have an injury on my chest and the admin person who tried to make a call with her phone was overpowered, the phone seized and she was beaten blue-black.

“The OCDA staff, who acted exactly like thugs, stole personal belongings like cash, laptops and other things we can’t remember right now.”