Sowore demands release of detained FIJ journalist Ojukwu
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readAAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the remand of FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu to Kuje Correctional Centre. Ojukwu is facing a 12-count cybercrime charge, with the court setting his bail application hearing for December 1, 2026.
Context & Background
- ✦The case stems from an FIJ investigation into a N17.1 million payment made to a restaurant for classroom construction by presidential aide Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
- ✦Sowore argues that the 21-day wait for a bail hearing constitutes 'punishment before conviction' and violates the constitutional presumption of innocence.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Omoyele Sowore, AAC presidential candidate, who is advocating for the journalist's release.•Daniel Ojukwu and Fisayo Soyombo, defendants in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024.•Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the complainant whose report led to the cyberstalking allegations.•Justice Abdulmalik, the presiding judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Outlook & Next Steps
The court has set December 1, 2026, as the date for the hearing of Ojukwu's bail application, while the prosecution's request for a bench warrant for Fisayo Soyombo was rejected.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Omoyele Sowore has publicly demanded the immediate release of FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded to Kuje Correctional Centre.
- Ojukwu faces a 12-count charge of cybercrime and cyberstalking related to an investigative report published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism.
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the hearing for Ojukwu's bail application for December 1, 2026, resulting in a 21-day remand period.
Key Facts:November 7, 2023: The Foundation for Investigative Journalism published the report regarding Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire's classroom project.December 19, 2024: The charge sheet against Daniel Ojukwu and Fisayo Soyombo was dated.December 1, 2026: The court scheduled the hearing for the journalist's bail application.
Editorial Excerpt
AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, demands the immediate release of FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded in Kuje prison over cybercrime
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What are the specific charges brought against Daniel Ojukwu?
Ojukwu faces a 12-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime offences, including conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and transmitting reports that allegedly placed presidential aide Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire in fear of harm.
Why did the court refuse to grant Ojukwu bail during the recent proceedings?
The judge declined the request to allow Ojukwu to continue on administrative bail, noting that the charge had been served on him long before his bail application was filed on Monday.
