NUJ RAISES ALARM OVER EFCC’S ALLEGED HARASSMENT OF OGUN OFFICIALS, DEMANDS END TO PERSECUTION

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has called on the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to urgently intervene and restrain its Ibadan Zonal Office from what it described as the alleged harassment and persecution of officials of the Ogun State Council of the union over a petition it considers frivolous and politically motivated.

The union made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat. Zone B comprises the six South-West states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

The NUJ leadership alleged that officials of the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office had subjected members of the Ogun State Council executive to undue profiling, harassment and psychological distress in the course of investigating a petition purportedly submitted by a group identified as 'The Patriot', whose identity and membership the union said remained unknown.

According to the communiqué, the affected officials had honoured invitations from the Commission, made the council's financial records available and responded to questions on approximately 25 occasions, demonstrating their willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

However, the union expressed concern over what it described as apparent bias and prejudgment in the handling of the investigation, particularly allegations involving an EFCC officer, Mr. Bashir, identified as Head of the Economic Governance Unit.

The NUJ alleged that Bashir had indicated that he concluded his preliminary report before interviewing the Ogun State Council Chairman, a development the union considered inconsistent with the principles of fair and impartial investigation.

It also questioned the jurisdictional propriety of the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office handling the petition, arguing that Ogun State falls within the operational jurisdiction of the Commission's Lagos II Zonal Directorate.

Consequently, the ZEC urged the EFCC leadership to intervene without delay, ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, and put an end to what it described as further harassment, intimidation and unwarranted vilification of the affected union officials.

While acknowledging that no individual or organisation is above the law, the NUJ maintained that investigations must be guided by credible evidence, fairness, professionalism and respect for fundamental human rights.

The union further stressed that where an investigation establishes a prima facie case of wrongdoing, the appropriate course of action is to pursue prosecution before a competent court of law rather than subjecting journalists and union officials to repeated invitations and what it described as sustained intimidation.

The communiqué also reaffirmed the NUJ's status as an independent professional and labour union, stressing that it is neither a financial institution, commercial company, government agency nor contractor.

It explained that the union does not receive statutory subventions or government allocations but sustains its activities through voluntary contributions and support from individuals, groups, governments and corporate organisations.

The NUJ therefore insisted that its legitimate financial and administrative operations should not be subjected to undue interference under the guise of investigation, urging the EFCC to ensure that its officers discharge their responsibilities within the bounds of the law and established investigative procedures.