Nigeria: SERAP Demands Ojukwu's Release, End to Prosecution of Journalists

What the report says

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu and Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi to secure the release of journalist Daniel Ojukwu from Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja and to halt the prosecution of journalists under criminal defamation and cyberstalking laws. The appeal followed Ojukwu’s remand by a Federal High Court judge while his bail application was pending. He was arraigned on 12 counts and pleaded not guilty.

According to the report carried by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, SERAP also urged authorities to stop what it described as harassment of Ojukwu and Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, over reports tied to public spending at the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals. The disputed investigations focused on alleged payments linked to classroom projects and questions about solar panels installed at some sites.

SERAP argued that the case raises broader press-freedom concerns in Nigeria, warning that jailing journalists for corruption reporting could discourage scrutiny of public institutions. The group said officials should respond to investigative stories with explanations, disclosure of records, or investigations where needed, rather than criminal charges. It also pointed to constitutional and international protections for free expression and media freedom. The article notes that Ojukwu was previously detained in May 2024 over related reporting.