NGE condemns prosecution of FIJ journalist, demands release

Résumé détaillé

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the prosecution of FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu over a report on public funds, demanding his immediate release. Read More:…

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the arrest, detention and remand of Foundation for Investigative Journalism correspondent, Daniel Ojukwu, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, demanding his immediate release on bail.

The Guild described Ojukwu’s criminal prosecution as an attack on press freedom and the right of Nigerians to receive information.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the NGE said the journalist was being prosecuted for raising questions about the expenditure of public funds.

“The Guild is deeply alarmed that a journalist whose professional duty is to investigate and report matters of public interest is being subjected to criminal prosecution and incarceration over reports that raised serious questions about the expenditure of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

“Ojukwu’s investigation reportedly exposed the alleged payment of more than ₦147 million (approximately $109,000) to an Abuja-based restaurant for the construction of classrooms and a skills acquisition centre at a primary school in Lagos. His findings raised questions about the existence of the projects and the capacity and track record of the company involved in the contract.

“These are legitimate issues of public accountability that deserve transparent answers, not the criminalisation of the journalist who brought them to public attention,” the statement read.

PUNCH Online reports that Ojukwu and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, face allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation in connection with investigative reports on President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Ojukwu’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre on November 10, pending the hearing of his bail application on December 1.

The journalist pleaded…

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