Media, civil society organisations demand immediate release of investigative journalist, Daniel Ojukwu
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readA coalition of Nigerian media and civil society organisations has issued a joint demand for the immediate release of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu. Ojukwu is currently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following a 12-count charge linked to his reporting on public fund expenditures at the OSSAP-SDGs office.
Context & Background
- ✦The case centers on the interpretation of the Cybercrimes Act and its use in criminalizing investigative journalism, which the coalition argues violates constitutional guarantees of press freedom under Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution.
- ✦The detention has sparked concerns regarding the safety of journalists and the ability of the media to hold public officials accountable for the management of public resources.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who has pleaded not guilty to all charges.•The coalition includes 17 organizations, such as SERAP, BudgIT, and the International Press Centre (IPC), all demanding an end to the criminalization of investigative reporting.
Outlook & Next Steps
The coalition is calling for the immediate release of Ojukwu and the discontinuation of criminal prosecution for public-interest reporting, with the next significant legal milestone being the bail application hearing scheduled for December 1, 2026.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- A coalition of media and civil society organisations is demanding the immediate release of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who is currently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
- Ojukwu faces a 12-count charge related to cyberbullying following his investigative reports on public fund expenditures by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
- The coalition argues that the prosecution and remand of Ojukwu constitute an attack on press freedom and a misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to suppress public accountability.
Key Facts:May 2024: Daniel Ojukwu was previously arrested and detained for 10 days in May 2024 regarding the same investigative reporting.December 1, 2026: The Federal High Court remanded Ojukwu until his bail application hearing date.₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million: The investigative reports in question highlighted public expenditure payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom construction projects.
Editorial Excerpt
A coalition of media and civil society organisations in Nigeria have demanded the unconditional release of detained investigative journalist, Daniel Ojukwu.DAILY POST recalls that Ojukwu was remanded in prison over allegations of cyberbullying following an investigative report.However, in a joint...
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
Why was Daniel Ojukwu remanded in prison?
Ojukwu was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on a 12-count charge related to cyberbullying, stemming from his investigative reports on public fund expenditures.
What is the stance of the coalition of media and CSOs regarding the case?
The coalition strongly condemns the remand, describing it as an attack on press freedom and a disturbing escalation in the use of criminal prosecution to silence journalists performing public accountability functions.
