The Nigerian government has been accused of allegedly
freezing the bank accounts of Sahara
Reporters, a news website owned by rearrested #RevolutionNow convener Omoyele
Sowore.
Asides allegedly freezing the bank account without an
advance notice in October and significantly hindering their operations, it was
further alleged that the website was separately disabled twice due to
allegations of copyright infringement, and its staff reported cyberattacks and
increased surveillance outside their Lagos office.
In a statement released by the Committee to Protect
Journalists on Wednesday December 11, the group confirmed that Sahara
Reporters’ Nigeria-based account with Guaranty Trust Bank was frozen without
warning in October.
La Keisha Landrum
Pierre, Sahara Reporters’ chief operating officer told CPJ that the news
platform struggled to pay operating costs and salaries and was unable to
publish for a day on November 10.
Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program
coordinator said;
“Sahara Reporters
must be permitted to keep the Nigerian public informed without intimidation.
“Surveillance, cyberattacks, and copyright notices against
Sahara Reporters mark a concerning pattern of interference and harassment of an
investigative news outlet.”
It was further gathered that when Ijeoma Nwachukwu, a
relationship manager with Guaranty Trust Bank was contacted, she declined to
reveal details about specific accounts because of “duty of confidentiality.”
The CPJ who insisted that they are yet to find a connection
between the reason for Sowore’s arrest and his journalism, added that some
Nigerian journalists are worried that President Buhari would feel less
restrained in curbing press freedom following his reelection.
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