The Nigerian Bar Association Garki Branch, Abuja has condemned the alleged threat to the life of Chioma Unini, the publisher of Nigerialawyer.
Calling out the perpetrators, the branch in a 3rd June 2023, statement signed by its Branch Chairman, Obioma Ezenwobodo Esq. said it is “reprehensible and heinous to attempt to gag Chioma from exercising her right to journalism and free press.”
The full statement reads:
CONDEMNATION OF THE THREAT TO LIFE OF THE FOUNDER AND PUBLISHER OF THE NIGERIALAWYER’S CHIOMA UNINI. K
The attention of the Branch has been drawn to a series of text messages threatening the life and safety of Chioma Unini. K, a consummate Lawyer based in Abuja and the founder and publisher of the NigeiraLawyer (a news blog centred on law and other social issues) over her pragmatic and objective news reportage.
The Branch condemns in strong terms the threat messages directed against the person of Chioma as they are not only injurious to the fundamental right of every citizen to freedom of expression and the press as provided in section 39(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Altered) but contrary to section 22 of the same Constitution that provides: “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”
The Branch states that on no account should Chioma be harassed or threatened in the cause of carrying out her duty which is geared towards deepening democratic ideals. It is therefore reprehensible and heinous to attempt to gag Chioma from exercising her right to journalism and free press.
The Branch calls on the security agencies to investigate the matter and bring the culprits behind the ugly trend to book.
Obioma Ezenwobodo Esq.
(Chairman)
