Amnesty International, a global human rights organisation, has demanded the release of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). The organisation says “no journalist should be subjected to threats, intimidation or punitive measures for holding those in positions of power accountable.”
On Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Daniel Ojukwu’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre for 21 days. Ojukwu’s offence, FIJ stated, was exposing alleged corruption and the diversion of public funds involving Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs).
The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik issued the remand order in a 12-count cyberstalking case brought by the Nigerian Police against Ojukwu and Fisayo Soyombo, FIJ’s founder. Ojukwu has been facing legal proceedings since December 2024.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 11th November, Amnesty International says Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Ojukwu and drop all charges brought against him solely in connection with his legitimate journalistic activities.
The rights group stated that the government must ensure that any legal proceedings comply fully with international human rights standards, including the right to a fair trial and guarantees of due process.
“The continued prosecution and detention of Ojukwu appear to be part of a broader pattern of using the criminal justice system to punish journalists for exposing allegations of corruption and holding public officials accountable,” the group wrote. “Detaining him for a further 21 days risks reinforcing a climate of fear and intimidation among journalists and media professionals.”
“The Nigerian authorities must also immediately end all forms of harassment, intimidation and targeting of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo. They must respect his right to carry out legitimate journalistic activities, including investigating and exposing corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations, without fear of reprisals.”
The Liberalist has also reported how Ojukwu’s remand constitutes a fresh press attack in the Nigeria’s civic space.
Amnesty International added that any attempt to silence investigative journalists through intimidation or the misuse of the criminal justice system constitutes a serious threat to the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.
“Authorities must refrain from weaponising criminal laws and judicial processes to intimidate, harass, punish or silence journalists, activists, human rights defenders and other government critics. Journalism is not a crime, and exposing allegations of corruption must never be treated as an offence,” it stated.
