ICIR Raises Concerns Over Police Cybercrime Centre’s Invitation of Journalist by police

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has expressed concerns over an invitation letter addressed to one of its journalists, Nurudeen Yahaya Akewushola, and the organisation’s “managing directors” by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).

In a statement on Thursday, May 16, the organisation disclosed that the invitation letter from the police was delivered to its office on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The letter was dated April 16, 2024, and the journalist was required to report to the centre on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, three weeks before the letter was delivered to The ICIR by the Police.

Part of the letter reads, “The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre is investigating a case of cyberstalking and defamation of character in which the above-named person featured prominently.

‘In view of the above, you are requested to interview the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National  Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) plot 625 Mission Road, Diplomatic Zone, Central Business District, Abuja through CSP Omaka Udodinma Chukwu on Wednesday 24th April 2024. Call 08067854241 on your arrival. Your cooperation in this regard will be highly appreciated, please.”

One of the concerns raised by the organisation was the delivery of the invitation letter three weeks after Akewushola was expected to have shown up at the cybercrime centre.

In its statement, The ICIR further disclosed that there were no details of the petition which led to the investigations for cyberstalking and defamation of character, as this would have helped the reporter better prepare for the interview with the Police.

The ICIR referred to the growing trend of the crackdown on journalists by security operatives using the Cybercrimes Act, despite a recent amendment of the legislation following public outcry that it was being manipulated to stifle free speech and harass journalists.

“The ICIR is also concerned about the invitation because it has reasonable cause to believe it is related to an investigative report done by Nurudeen Akewushola, the reporter who has been invited to the Cybercrime Centre, and recently published by The ICIR.

“The report indicted two former Inspectors-General of Police of corruption. One of the two former IGPs threatened The ICIR with a lawsuit and was rebuffed. We believe that the same person is now using the Police, which should be interested in holding him to account on the basis of our reporting, to harass our reporter,” the statement read.

The media organisation, therefore, requested that a new letter be provided by the Police addressing the concerns raised.

“As a law-abiding organisation that holds power to account, we are always willing to submit to accountability and would honour lawful invitations from law enforcement agencies but we have written to the Police to provide details of the petition against The ICIR and its reporter and write a new invitation letter before we honour the invitation,” the statement concluded.