Unknown Persons Issue Threats To TheNigeriaLawyer’s Founder, Publisher Over 2023 Post-Election Publications

*Security Agencies Put On Notice.
*Freedom of Press Must Be Guaranteed In Our Democracy

The Founder and Editor-In-Chief of TheNigeriaLawyer Chioma Unini K has recently been the subject of threats to life and person from faceless and anonymous persons expressing displeasure over some our publications which constructively criticized the role of some governmental institutions and persons in the 2023 elections particularly the case of the targeted suppression and subjugation of Igbos by non-state parties tacitly supported by institutions of the state who watched on and refused to bring offenders to book even in the face of indisputable and glaring evidence.

The first set of threats which came from encrypted phone numbers (private numbers) were issued after our March 23 publication titled “Did MC Oluomo’s Threat To Igbo Voters In Lagos End Up As “A Joke”? A Query To The Nigeria Police Force”, which came on the heels of the Police refusal to apprehend and investigate leaders of the ruling APC who openly stoked ethnic hatred and stirred the embers of genocidal tendencies which we saw on display during the election. The unknown persons who called our Editor-In-Chief at various times warned her against putting up publications of such nature or else would bear the consequences.

In another editorial published on the 13^th of May, titled “Re: “Eze Ndibgo Terrorism Trial Begins In July”: A Case of Selective Justice By The Lagos AG And Police Against Igbos”, TheNigeriaLawyer wondered why Nwajagu is being prosecuted for comments deemed as inciting, while MC Oluomo still parades with impunity as a free man? Justice must not only be done but must been seen to be manifestly and absolutely done. The editorial concluded that the trial of Mr Nwajagu is an activation of the wheels of selective justice which might be a more cruel form of injustice.

This publication also enraged the addressors of the threats who sprung up again and have since issued several threats.

This development is not only unfortunate, but highly condemnable as it is reflective of the tyrannical propensities of the ‘powers that be’ who appear irritated by sincere observations and constructive criticisms regarding their actions.

It must be stressed that free press is a cardinal pillar of a healthy and functional democracy and every attempt to muzzle pressmen, journalists and social commentators is an attempt to reincarnate the dark days of press intimidation and suppression which was one of the several reasons why people put their sweats, blood and lives on the line to ensure a return to stable democracy in Nigeria.

As an organization, we are fully and totally committed to balanced reportage in fairness to all parties. We meticulously review new reports before publishing and ensure the interest or reputation of any Nigerian is not unduly sabotaged or prejudiced by our publications. Therefore, we shall not be cowered into adulterating truth or camouflaging it.

We therefore use this opportunity to call on security agencies to take note of the unfortunate development and launch proper investigations to unravel those who are behind these heinous threats.