Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to immediately and unconditionally release investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded in prison custody for 21 days over alleged cyberstalking.
The organisation made the demand in a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, expressing concern that the journalist’s continued detention could threaten press freedom and discourage investigative reporting in the country.
Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on Tuesday by the Federal High Court.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered his detention until December 1, 2026, when the court is expected to hear his bail application.
The journalist had pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, arising from his investigative reports on President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Amnesty International described the case as a worrying development for media freedom, warning against the use of judicial processes to intimidate journalists.
The organisation said, “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.”
It recalled that Ojukwu was allegedly abducted by police officers in May 2024 over his journalistic activities, adding that his prosecution reflected a broader pattern of targeting journalists who investigate alleged corruption and abuse of public office.
Amnesty International warned that keeping the reporter in custody could create fear among media professionals and discourage them from 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 statement added.
The rights organisation also called on the authorities to end what it described as the harassment and intimidation of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo.
It urged the government to respect Soyombo’s right to investigate and report allegations of corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations without fear of retaliation.
Amnesty International further called for any legal proceedings against Ojukwu to comply with international human rights standards, particularly the principles of fair hearing and due process.
It cautioned against the use of criminal laws to silence journalists, activists and human rights defenders.
“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,” the organisation said.
The group urged the Federal Government to guarantee an environment where journalists can independently investigate and report matters of public interest without facing arbitrary arrest, detention or prosecution.
