Jide Pratt (JP)

Nigeria: Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Daniel Ojukwu Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded in prison custody for 21 days by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. His detention raises serious concerns about the use of judicial processes to intimidate journalists and undermine the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria. Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has faced legal proceedings since December 2024 following his reporting on alleged corruption and the diversion of public funds involving Nigerian government officials. In May 2024, he was abducted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in connection with his journalistic work. 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. Detaining him for a further 21 days risks reinforcing a climate of fear and intimidation among journalists and media professionals. The authorities 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 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. No journalist should be subjected to threats, intimidation or punitive measures for holding those in positions of power accountable. The authorities must ensure that journalists, including Daniel Ojukwu and Fisayo Soyombo, can work freely and independently without interference or fear of arbitrary arrest, detention or prosecution. 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. The Nigerian government must respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of expression and the freedom of the press, including the right of journalists and citizens to investigate, report on and criticise public officials and government policies without fear of reprisals. 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.