Press Attack Tracker Africa

BREAKING: Immediately release FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu, end prosecution of journalists for reporting on alleged corruption We've urged President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to ensure the immediate release of Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, and to end the use of criminal defamation and cyberstalking charges to intimidate and punish journalists solely for carrying out their professional duties. SERAP also urged the authorities to immediately end the prosecution and harassment of Mr Ojukwu and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, over their reports concerning the alleged expenditure of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs). Mr Ojukwu was on Tuesday reportedly remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, until 1 December 2026, following his arraignment on 12 counts of alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court adjourned the hearing of his pending bail application until December. SERAP is concerned that the detention of Mr Ojukwu sends a chilling message to journalists and others who seek to expose alleged corruption and scrutinise the management of public funds. The organisation is particularly concerned that the prosecution relates to investigative reports published in 2023 and January 2024, which raised questions about payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom construction projects, as well as the reported failure of solar panels installed at some of the projects shortly after their completion. These are matters of legitimate public interest. Public officials and institutions should expect scrutiny of their decisions and expenditure of public funds. The proper response to investigative reporting that raises questions about public expenditure is to provide explanations, disclose relevant records and, where necessary, investigate allegations of wrongdoing—not to subject journalists to criminal prosecution and imprisonment. Mr Ojukwu's present remand is especially troubling because he was previously detained for 10 days in May 2024 over reporting concerning the same public official and alleged expenditure of public funds. His continued prosecution risks reinforcing a climate in which journalists may be deterred from investigating and reporting on corruption for fear of arrest, detention and imprisonment. SERAP notes that the rights to freedom of expression and media freedom are guaranteed by sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. These protections include the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, including information and opinions that may be critical, controversial or unwelcome to public officials. The right to freedom of expression is particularly important where journalists report on alleged corruption, public expenditure and the conduct of persons entrusted with public responsibilities. Public officials must tolerate robust scrutiny and criticism, especially concerning the exercise of public power and the management of public resources. The UN Human Rights Committee, in paragraph 47 of its General Comment No. 34, emphasises that defamation laws must not be used to stifle freedom of expression. It urges States to recognise truth and public interest as defences, avoid excessively punitive measures and consider decriminalising defamation.