The Action Group on the Protection of Civic Actors, a coalition of Nigerian media and civil society groups, has protested against the ongoing detention of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). They are calling for his immediate release.
Ojukwu was reported missing on May 1 in Lagos, only to be discovered detained at a police station under accusations of breaching the country’s Cybercrime Act, which is often criticized as a method of censorship.
His arrest and subsequent transfer to Abuja followed a report he wrote alleging financial misconduct involving over N147 million ($104,600) by a high-ranking government official, as stated by his employer.
The coalition took to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday to demand Ojukwu’s release, where spokesperson Bukky Shonibare expressed concern over the increasing attacks on press freedom and the suppression of critical voices.
She highlighted that after nine days in detention, based on purported orders from the inspector general of police, it is obligatory for the police to either charge Ojukwu or release him without conditions.