By Our Reporter
The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has renewed its call for an independent investigation into the alleged assault of Sunday Michael Ogwu, Editor of Pinnacle Daily, by police officers and personnel of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Lugbe, Abuja.
The coalition, in a follow-up statement issued in response to the August 21 statement by the FCT Police Command, said the police response failed to address the substance of Ogwu’s allegation that he was assaulted, subjected to electric cable torture and had his mobile phone destroyed during the incident.
Recall, the FCT Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, had accused Ogwu of declining invitations to appear at the Command Headquarters and of seemingly attempting to mobilise public sentiment and create undue pressure.
However, CWPPF said the focus on Ogwu’s conduct was troubling, arguing that the journalist had reported the incident to the police PRO personally at about 8:30 p.m. on August 19, shortly after the alleged assault.
The coalition said Ogwu subsequently sought legal advice and the support of press-freedom organisations before committing to a formal statement, describing the decision as a reasonable precaution for someone reporting an alleged assault involving police personnel.
CWPPF further alleged that the FCT Police PRO had told the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), a member of the coalition, shortly after the incident that the officers involved were likely not under the FCT Command.
It said the police had not subsequently clarified or reconciled the claim with its latest statement.
The coalition also said the Divisional Police Officer of Lugbe, CSP Ukorobo Uchenna C., did not deny that an assault occurred when contacted by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), but instead asked whether Ogwu had personally seen or spoken to him.
According to CWPPF, a separate statement attributed to the Lugbe Community Security Committee also confirmed the deployment of Lugbe Police and VGN personnel in the area on the same date, although it described the operation as an anti-drug exercise rather than a demolition operation.
The coalition said Ogwu had since sought medical attention for injuries allegedly sustained during the incident and was unable to honour the police invitation immediately.
It added that the journalist had committed to appearing before the police on Monday, August 24, accompanied by his lawyers.
CWPPF said it was concerned that the substantive allegation of assault was being displaced by questions about the complainant’s conduct.
It therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command to place the investigation under an independent mechanism outside the command structure implicated in the allegation.
The coalition also demanded the public identification of the officers and unit deployed to the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate on August 19, as well as the preservation and production of deployment records, operational orders, patrol vehicle logs and available CCTV or body-camera footage relating to the operation.
It further demanded an apology and full compensation for Ogwu’s damaged mobile device, payment of his medical expenses, and an end to public characterisations of his conduct pending the outcome of a transparent investigation.
CWPPF also urged the police to issue clear directives affirming journalists’ right to document public operations without obstruction, seizure of equipment or physical harm.
The coalition maintained that journalism is not a crime and that documenting the activities of public officials is a constitutionally protected right.
It said it would continue monitoring the matter and support efforts towards a credible, transparent and independent resolution of the allegations.
