Nigeria: Nigerian Court Detains Journalist Daniel Ojukwu On Cybercrime Charges

What the report says

A Nigerian federal court in Abuja has remanded journalist Daniel Ojukwu to Kuje Custodial Centre until December 1 on cybercrime and criminal defamation charges, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists carried by AllAfrica. Ojukwu, a correspondent for the privately owned Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), pleaded not guilty to 12 counts at the November 10 hearing after traveling from Lagos for the case.

The case also involves FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo, who was not present in court but is expected at the next hearing, according to the report. CPJ said the prosecution is tied to several FIJ investigations published between late 2023 and early 2024 that examined suspected irregularities in government contracts linked to the office of a senior official responsible for sustainable development goals. The report also says the charges relate to Ojukwu’s earlier secret arrest and 10-day detention in 2024.

CPJ called on Nigerian authorities to drop the charges and stop using cybercrime and criminal laws against journalists. The organization said the laws have repeatedly been used to pressure reporters, a concern that is especially relevant as elections approach. In background, Nigeria’s cybercrime law has been widely criticized by press freedom advocates for its use against media workers, though the report does not detail any broader government response beyond the court action and a defense-lawyer application for bail.