Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor has accused prison officials attached to the Ebonyi State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) of engaging in a violent confrontation with journalists at the Abakaliki High Court.

According to him, the officials physically assaulted an NTA crew member in a desperate attempt to seize their camera, "violating the fundamental right of journalists to cover court proceedings."

In a statement made available to MyNigeria, Ejiofor stated that the blatant attack on press freedom is unacceptable.

He further stated, "I call on the Comptroller General of Prisons to immediately rein in the Ebonyi State Command and ensure that such misconduct does not go unpunished.

"Even more troubling is that the Defendants/36 inmates, in this case have already been discharged and acquitted on three different occasions from various baseless charges. Why, then, is there such a desperate attempt to suppress media coverage?

"The world is watching! The press must be allowed to perform their constitutional duty without fear of intimidation or violence."