Nigeria: Joint Statement By Media and Civil Society Organisations On the Remand of Investigative Journalist Daniel Ojukwu - a Dangerous Attack On Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability

What the report says

A coalition of media and civil society groups in Nigeria has called for the immediate release of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered him remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The statement, published by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and distributed by AllAfrica, says Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was arraigned on a 12-count charge tied to articles he published in 2023 and 2024 about public spending by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the statement, Ojukwu pleaded not guilty and his lawyers said he had complied with the terms of a previously granted administrative bail. The court nevertheless declined to keep him on bail pending a later hearing on 1 December 2026. The groups described the remand as a troubling use of criminal prosecution and cybercrime-related provisions against journalism that scrutinizes public institutions.

The statement says the reports at issue focused on alleged public expenditure, including payments for classroom projects and questions about solar installations. It argues that such reporting serves the public interest and should be met with transparency rather than detention or intimidation. The coalition also noted that Ojukwu was previously detained in May 2024 in connection with the same reporting, raising concern about a pattern of pressure on him and on investigative journalism more broadly.

The signatories, including Nigerian and regional press freedom and rights organizations, urged authorities to drop the use of criminal charges to target journalists and to protect media freedom under Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights standards.