Nigeria: Wscij, CPJ Condemn Detention of Fij Journalist Ojukwu, Demand Release, Withdrawal of Charges

What the report says

Press freedom groups including the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) have called for the release of Foundation for Investigative Journalism reporter Daniel Ojukwu and for the withdrawal of charges against him. According to the Premium Times report carried by AllAfrica, Ojukwu was remanded by a Federal High Court judge in Abuja after arraignment on cybercrime-related counts tied to FIJ stories about alleged irregularities involving Adeojoke Orelope-Adefulire, a presidential aide and former Lagos State deputy governor.

The report says the court ordered Ojukwu held at Kuje Correctional Centre until a bail hearing set for 1 December. It also says he pleaded guilty to the 12 counts of cyberstalking and criminal defamation filed by police. The journalism groups argued that the case raises serious press-freedom concerns because it stems from investigative reporting on public spending and government projects.

CPJ urged Nigerian authorities to drop the charges and reconsider laws that are used against journalists. CWPPF likewise said the investigative stories raised legitimate questions about public funds and should not be treated as criminal conduct. The coalition also questioned keeping Ojukwu in custody before his bail application is heard, saying the offences are bailable and that pretrial detention should not become punishment.

The coverage places the dispute within a broader debate in Nigeria over the use of cybercrime and defamation laws in cases involving reporters and public officials. It also notes that Ojukwu had previously been detained in 2024 over reporting linked to the same government office.