The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has urged the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately stop the harassment, intimidation and undue profiling of members of its Ogun State Council by operatives of the Commission’s Ibadan Zonal Office.

The union called on the EFCC authorities to intervene urgently, ensure a fair and impartial investigation and protect its members from further mental torture and unwarranted vilification over a frivolous and politically motivated petition.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Zone’s Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat.

NUJ Zone B, which comprises Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, expressed concern over the treatment of Ogun State Council executives by EFCC operatives investigating a petition allegedly submitted by a group identified as ‘The Patriot’, whose identity and membership, according to the union, remain unknown.

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The union said the affected officials had demonstrated sufficient willingness to cooperate with the investigation by honouring invitations from the Commission, opening the council’s financial records and responding to questions on approximately 25 occasions.

It, however, condemned the predetermined approach to the investigation, particularly allegations of bias against the Ogun NUJ Chairman by an EFCC officer identified as Mr. Bashir, Head of the Economic Governance Unit.

According to the union, the officer allegedly claimed to have concluded his preliminary report before interviewing the chairman, raising concerns about the credibility, fairness and impartiality of the investigative process.

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

While acknowledging that no individual or organisation is above the law, the union insisted that investigations must be conducted professionally, transparently and in strict compliance with fundamental human rights.

It maintained that where credible evidence establishes a prima facie case of wrongdoing, the appropriate course of action is prosecution before a competent court rather than prolonged invitations, intimidation and sustained harassment of journalists and union officials.

The union explained that it does not receive statutory subventions or allocations but sustains its operations through voluntary contributions and support from individuals, groups, governments and corporate organisations.

It consequently cautioned against subjecting its legitimate financial and administrative activities to undue interference under the guise of investigations.