A civil society group, Enugu Rescue Group, ERG, has condemned the decision of the seven-man panel set up to probe the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, for barring journalists and pressmen from covering its proceedings.

The group condemned in strong term the secret proceedings and the clap down and confiscation of some newspaper that took a critical stand on the issue.

The group, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Martin Okenwa, said:  “ERG is concerned that both anti-democratic actions are being perpetrated at the behest of the Enugu State Government with public resources.

ERG considers the constant “mopping” of national dailies as gross violation of the letters and spirit of the Freedom of Information, FOI Act, and especially Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which upholds the right of citizens to “hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

The group wondered why impeachment proceedings that were broadcast live on televisions in other states, such as Nasarawa, had become a secret business in Enugu. The group challenged the panel that if there is nothing shady in their activity then they should make it open