SERAP demands release of detained FIJ journalist Ojukwu

Résumé détaillé

SERAP has urged President Tinubu to secure the immediate release of FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded over a report on public funds. Read More:…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to secure the immediate release of Foundation for Investigative Journalism reporter, Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.

SERAP also urged the Federal Government to end the prosecution of Ojukwu and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, over investigative reports concerning alleged expenditure of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

The organisation made the demands in a statement posted on its X account on Tuesday, describing Ojukwu’s detention as a threat to journalists reporting on alleged corruption and the management of public funds.

Ojukwu was remanded by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja until December 1, 2026, when his bail application is scheduled to be heard.

He had pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime offences, including cyberstalking.

The charge, dated December 19, 2024, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024. Former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is listed as the complainant, while Ojukwu and Soyombo are the defendants.

According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleged that the journalists conspired to commit cyberstalking and transmitted reports on the FIJ website that placed former presidential aide, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

One of the counts specifically refers to an FIJ investigation published on November 7, 2023, titled, “Special Report: 2 Weeks Before End of Buhari’s Tenure, Special Assistant, Adefulire Paid a Restaurant N17.1m to Build Classrooms in Lagos. A Lot Was Amiss.”

The prosecution told the court that Soyombo was at large and asked for a bench warrant to be issued against him.

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