The Afia TV Limited has condemned security operatives allegedly engaged by the authorities of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), for illegally arresting and unlawfully detaining one of its correspondents, Elijah Akuma.
Akuma, according to the Media Organization was on official assignment investigating poor conditions of UNN hostels.
According to the statement on Friday by its MD/CEO, Emeka Mba, the media organisation said Akuma was unlawfully arrested and held for about two and a half hours on May 1 by UNN security while carrying out follow-up reporting on deteriorating accommodation facilities at the university.
The journalist was only released after the intervention of Afia TV management and the Enugu State Government, the statement said.
“At the time of his detention, Mr. Akuma was lawfully on the UNN campus in the discharge of his professional duties: conducting follow-up field reporting on the widely documented and deeply concerning state of student accommodation facilities on the Nsukka campus,” the statement said.
Afia TV maintained that it acted responsibly by investigating the claims and offering university authorities an opportunity to respond.
“Our reporting has been thorough, balanced, and fair,” the statement said. “We gave UNN management the opportunity to respond, and they took it.
“The acting Public Relations Officer of the University. Mr. Agha Inya was interviewed alongside education activist, Mr. Alex Onyia.
“Both speakers engaged our hosts, Nathalie Ukwu and Orji Nwachukwu, in a moderated exchange on air.
“It bears stating clearly: both Nathalie Ukwu and Orji Nwachukwu are proud alumni of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mr. Onyia is likewise a UNN alumnus.
“They have no motive, personal, institutional, or otherwise, to bring their alma mater into disrepute. The suggestion is not only false; it is insulting.”
The Management of the Afia TV further said that it interviewed a visually impaired 300-level student, Daniel Nnamdi, who complained about unsanitary hostel conditions and lack of accessibility infrastructure for students with disabilities.
“Shortly after his interview aired, it was reported that Mr. Nnamdi was evicted from his hostel. It was in the course of seeking to verify and follow up on that disturbing report that Mr. Akuma was detained,” the broadcaster said.
Afia TV condemned the detention as unlawful, unwarranted, and a direct attack on constitutionally guaranteed press freedom.
“The detention of Mr. Elijah Akuma was unlawful, unwarranted, and a violation of press freedom. No credible reason was given for his arrest. No legal authority was cited,” the statement said.
“Afia TV will not be intimidated. We will not be deterred from pursuing the truth by threats, harassment, or the unlawful detention of our staff.”
It also rejected allegations that it was engaged in a campaign to demarket or discredit UNN, calling such claims defamatory and demanding an immediate retraction.
“Afia TV is not engaged in any campaign to demarket or discredit the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,” the statement noted.
“This allegation is without foundation. It is defamatory. We call on those responsible for propagating it within or outside the University to withdraw it immediately and without equivocation.
“We reserve all rights available to us under law,” the Organisation said while expressing gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah and the Enugu State Government for their swift intervention in securing the journalist’s release.
Afia TV pledged to continue serving the public with “truth, courage, and integrity.”
“We stand firmly behind the UNN community, its students, alumni, and staff. We are committed to the welfare of vulnerable students.
“The plight of visually impaired and other students with disabilities at UNN, denied both dignity and accessibility, demands urgent attention from University management. We will continue to amplify their voices.
“The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is a defining institution of Enugu, the Southeast, and Nigeria. It is precisely because we hold it in the highest regard that we believe it deserves honest, rigorous journalism, not silence, not flattery, and not cover-up,” the Organisation said.
Sunrisereporters.
