By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the International Press Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has raised the alarm over an alleged threat to the life of an investigative journalist, Karen James.
James, who alleged unearthed scandal in the Anambra state Ministry of Education according to the statement has become a target of several assassination attempts.
A statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan, the Coordinator, of I-CSPJ, said that James has gone into hiding, following the threats.
“Karen James had been conducting a month-long investigation into the inner workings of the Anambra State education system, where she uncovered massive corruption, incompetence, and outright disregard of public yearnings for truth into the Blessed Wisdom Model School saga in Onitsha that abruptly ended their 3rd term promotion examination and inadvertently displacing over 600 school children from schooling hence casting them unto the streets of Onitsha,” the statement quoted James’s petition to the Anambra state House of Assembly.
The center called on the Nigerian government as well as security agencies to ensure that she is not harmed in any way.
“I-CSPJ enjoins anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports by the journalist to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help.
“I-CSPJ, therefore, appeals to other national, regional, and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organizations, and human rights bodies to join in the clamor for her safety.
“I-CSPJ is concerned that incidents like this would continue to make Nigeria rate poorly in the global press freedom index,” the statement said.
