Daniel Ojukwu, a well-regarded Nigerian investigative journalist, was released on Friday from police custody after being detained for 10 days. His release was a outcome of vehement criticism and protests by media rights groups who had been calling for his liberation.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) issued a statement acknowledging a range of entities, from local and international media organisations to civil society organisations, activists, lawyers, and active citizens. Their collective endeavours were a major contribution to freeing the journalist. Moreover, the organization has pledged to use all legally permissible means to seek justice for Ojukwu and to prevent a recurrence of this type of state power abuse and press freedom infringement.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) states that police apprehended him secretly and kept him in the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos over allegations of violating the Cybercrimes Act. Later, he was transferred to the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlighted that Ojukwu was initially detained due to his investigative report regarding Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Orelope-Adefulire, a former senior special assistant to the president on sustainable development goals, allegedly misappropriated 147 million naira (about US$106,000) of government funds for school construction. Remarkably, despite the Nigerian constitution mandating that any crime suspect be charged before a court within 48 hours of arrest, Ojukwu remained detained without charge for over nine days.
In an interview with Arise News, the Board Chairman of the FIJ, Bukky Shonibar, reinforced that all FIJ releases adhere to journalistic ethics and due diligence. Shonibar noted that before publishing the report implicating Adejoke, they invited her to respond to the allegations, but she did not reply.
Finally, the determined efforts of the CPJ, HRW, and numerous activists via media outlets resulted in Ojukwu’s release on bail.
This incident exemplifies the struggles that investigative journalists face across the world, but especially in nations where press freedom is often seen as a threat to those in power. It serves as a sobering reminder of the need for constant vigilance to guard and elevate the right to free press.
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