The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has called on the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene in what it described as the alleged harassment and intimidation of members of its Ogun State Council by officers of the Commission’s Ibadan Zonal Office.
The union made the appeal in a communiqué issued at the end of its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat, where it expressed concern over the handling of a petition against the Ogun State Council, which it described as frivolous and politically motivated.
NUJ Zone B, comprising Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, alleged that EFCC operatives investigating a petition purportedly submitted by a group known as ‘The Patriot’, whose identity and membership remain unknown, subjected the Ogun State Council executives to undue profiling, harassment and psychological distress.
According to the union, the affected officials had demonstrated their willingness to cooperate with the investigation by honouring invitations, making available the council’s financial records and responding to questions on approximately 25 occasions.
However, the union expressed displeasure over what it described as alleged bias and prejudgment in the investigation, particularly against the Ogun NUJ Chairman by an EFCC officer, identified as Mr Bashir, Head of the Economic Governance Unit.
It alleged that the officer claimed to have concluded his preliminary report before interviewing the chairman, raising concerns about the impartiality and credibility of the investigation.
The ZEC also questioned the jurisdiction of the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office to handle the petition, arguing that Ogun State falls within the operational jurisdiction of the Commission’s Lagos II Zonal Directorate.
Consequently, the union urged the EFCC leadership to urgently intervene, ensure a fair and impartial investigation and put an end to what it described as further harassment and unwarranted vilification of the affected officials.
While acknowledging that nobody is above the law, NUJ Zone B maintained that investigations must be guided by credible evidence, fairness and respect for the fundamental human rights of those involved. It stressed that where sufficient evidence of wrongdoing is established, the appropriate course of action should be prosecution before a competent court rather than subjecting journalists and union officials to repeated invitations and prolonged intimidation.
The communiqué further emphasised that the NUJ is an independent professional and labour organisation, not a financial institution, commercial company, government agency or contractor, noting that it does not receive statutory subventions or government allocations.
It explained that the union finances its activities through voluntary contributions and support from individuals, groups, governments and corporate organisations.
The NUJ, therefore, insisted that its legitimate financial and administrative activities should not be subjected to undue interference under the guise of investigation .The union reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, accountability and transparency, while demanding that the EFCC ensure that its investigative procedures do not become instruments of intimidation or persecution.
