World · Africa · 1 hr ago
Nigerian court keeps journalist Daniel Ojukwu in custody until bail hearing
A court in Abuja ordered journalist Daniel Ojukwu held in prison while his case proceeds.
Ojukwu works for the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, and the charges relate to reports he wrote about Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a senior government official.
Police accuse him of cyberstalking and defaming her in a 12-count case; he pleaded not guilty.
The reports concerned alleged financial mismanagement involving 147 million naira in funds for classroom construction.
Nigeria’s cybercrime law has been used in cases against journalists, renewing concerns about press freedom in the country.
Ojukwu was also detained in 2024 over the same reporting and released after public pressure.
He will remain in Kuje prison until his bail hearing on Dec.
1.
A Nigerian court ordered investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu held in custody until his bail hearing on 1 December.
The Federal High Court in Abuja remanded him at Kuje Correctional Centre in a 12-count cyberstalking case brought by police.
The case concerns reports Ojukwu wrote in 2023 about Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a senior presidential aide.
Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts, and the judge rejected a request for him to remain on police bail.
The case has renewed concerns about media freedom and the use of Nigeria’s cybercrime law against journalists.
- Who
- Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was remanded. The case also names FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo.
- What
- A court ordered Ojukwu held in custody until his bail hearing in a 12-count cyberstalking case.
- When
- The court issued the remand order on Tuesday. The bail hearing is scheduled for 1 December.
- Where
- The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered him held at Kuje Correctional Centre.
- Why
- Police brought charges over Ojukwu’s reports about Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Prosecutors accused him of defamation and alleged the report put her in fear of death.
Nigerian police and prosecutors
Ojukwu’s defence
Charges
Nigerian police and prosecutors
Prosecutors accused Ojukwu of defaming Orelope-Adefulire and alleged his report put her in fear of death.
Ojukwu’s defence
Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts.
Custody
Nigerian police and prosecutors
The prosecution asked for Ojukwu to be remanded in prison.
Ojukwu’s defence
His lawyer opposed remand, pointing to a pending bail application and asking that he remain on police bail.
Bail
Nigerian police and prosecutors
The judge said the application was not ripe for hearing and rejected the request to continue police bail.
Ojukwu’s defence
The defence sought bail and asked for Ojukwu to continue under the administrative bail previously granted by police.
Ojukwu authored reports about Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Ojukwu went missing, according to Premium Times.
Ojukwu was detained for 10 days over the reports and was later released after public outcry and pressure from human rights groups.
A Federal High Court in Abuja remanded Ojukwu until his bail hearing.
The court scheduled Ojukwu’s bail hearing.
- Journalist
- Daniel Ojukwu, Foundation for Investigative Journalism
- Court
- Federal High Court in Abuja
- Detention
- Kuje Correctional Centre
- Charges
- 12 counts in a cyberstalking case
- Subject of reports
- Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, senior special assistant on sustainable development goals
- Bail hearing
- 1 December
4 sources
Nigerian court orders journalist kept in custody over report, renewing concerns over media freedom
Amnesty International, SERAP demand release of detained FIJ journalist Ojukwu
Nigerian court orders journalist kept in custody over report
What people are saying
If you have seen the copy of the charge, it was filed in September 2024. FIJ was not aware of that until recently when he was detained
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.