Media advocacy groups challenge Federal High Court’s judgment, insisting Code of Conduct Bureau must investigate David Umahi’s actions against press freedom
By Bunmi Yekini
Two leading media advocacy groups, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC), have filed an appeal challenging a Federal High Court judgment that dismissed their suit seeking to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate former Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi for alleged abuse of office.
The groups had petitioned the CCB following Umahi’s directive in 2021 to arrest a journalist and permanently ban two others from government facilities—an act they say contravened constitutional principles of press freedom and accountability. But on November 29, 2024, Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu ruled that the petitioners failed to prove the CCB had received the complaint and questioned their standing in the matter.
In a Notice of Appeal filed by Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Noah Ajare, MRA and IPC asked the Court of Appeal to overturn the judgment in its entirety.
“We are dissatisfied with the court’s conclusion that we did not show credible evidence of service,” the groups said in a joint statement. “We submitted proof, including courier tracking and email communications, showing that our petition was indeed delivered.”
The appeal also challenges the lower court’s claim that the NGOs lacked the locus standi, or legal standing, to act on behalf of the journalists.
“As organizations dedicated to defending media freedom and freedom of expression, we believe we have a constitutional and moral obligation to act where rights are violated,” said Ayode Longe, Program Director at MRA.
The third and fourth grounds of appeal argue that the court failed to engage with the substantive issues of public interest, including the CCB’s constitutional obligation to investigate misconduct by public officials.
“The dismissal on technical grounds ignores the wider societal implications,” said Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC. “This case is not just about two journalists. It’s about whether institutions like the CCB will be held accountable to the public they serve.”
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the appeal. MRA and IPC say they will continue to pursue justice to ensure that democratic values such as press freedom and good governance are upheld in Nigeria.