Kristina Chapel Of NUJ Alerts Public Of Harassment of OwnReporter By NCS Personnel
Kristina Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council has alerted the public of the alleged harassment of their correspondent, Confidence Biebara by personnel of the Nigerian correctional service, Rowland Okogie.
In a press statement, the Chapel their correspondent, Biebara was at the court to cover a case involving the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) officials where Mr. Rowland Okogie, a personnel of the correctional services threatened her, warning that he would deal with her if she took photos of the NAPO President and three other officials who posed for photograph with their lawyer.
The release said it was worrisome that Rowland should threaten their correspondent as neither him nor any another personnel of the correctional service were captured in the photograph. It also stressed that Ms Biebara was not the only one who took pictures there, as other non journalists also took pictures and wondered why Rowland Okegie would single out Biebara for threat.
Kristina media viewed Mr. Rowland’s act as an affront on press freedom and a violation of the fundamental human right of their staff, stressing that it was equally an invidious attempt at gender-based violence.
The media a outfit is demanding for an unreserved apology from the Nigerian correctional service, and immediate probe of the conduct of Mr. Rowland Okegie of the correctional service and that the “Nigerian correctional service take responsibility for trauma diagnosed of their staff whose emotional well being has been threatened by its personnel.
The press statement which was signed by Boma Waribo, Chairman, NUJ Kristina Chapel and Deborah Chapp – Jumbo, Secretary, was copied to Rivers NUJ, State Commandant, Nigerian Correctional Service, Commissioner of Police Rivers State Director of Security Services.
