Various senior legal practitioners, activists, and political figures have condemned the action of the Nigerian Police Force against Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was apprehended by the police reportedly based on a petition against him.
Ojukwu’s disappearance on May 1st, followed by his subsequent detention without communication with his family, friends, or legal representation, further exacerbated concerns about his well-being and the state of press freedom in Nigeria.
He was initially held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Lagos, and was later transferred to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja on Sunday.
The police, through its spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest, stating that Ojukwu was accused of violating the Cybercrime Prohibition Act of 2015.
According to him,
“He [Ojukwu] has a case to answer. This was confirmed to me on Sunday by the CP and head of the centre,”he said.
“The force headquarters will soon address the matter “to clear the grey areas.”
However, critics, including human rights activists like Clement Osuya and Chief Chukwuma Nwachukwu, vehemently condemned the arrest, citing violations of press freedom, concerns about police conduct, and the infringement of Ojukwu’s rights as outlined in the Nigerian constitution.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also joined in the condemnation, labeling Ojukwu’s detention as an attack on press freedom.
Atiku linked Ojukwu’s arrest to his investigative works, particularly his exposés on alleged high-profile smugglers. Atiku criticized the government’s handling of press freedom and urged for Ojukwu’s immediate release.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday, said his ministry was working to resolve the issues.
He said: “I made a solemn pledge on the first day of assumption of duty that this indeed would be one of the best times for media practitioners in this country because we would say it exactly as it is for you to report. Press freedom is very important to uphold. But I keep telling us also, reminding us that your freedom also has to go with enormous responsibility. You cannot allow purveyors of disinformation and fake news to occupy your space.
“I know that we have had some challenges, especially in the last couple of weeks concerning one journalist who has had some problems with the security agencies. That problem has been solved or is being solved. I’m being reminded by someone today that there’s another one. We are also working to ensure that one is also resolved.
“I am glad to report that UNESCO is coming up with a guide that would help all of us, especially practitioners in the social media to see that their work is done in a way and manner that is factual, honest, transparent, patriotic and also accountable to all Nigerians.
Lawyers on ActionAid have demanded his immediate freedom
