The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has expressed relief and gratitude to media rights and civil society groups following the release of their reporter, Daniel Ojukwu from Police custody. Ojukwu was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
In a statement signed by Chairman of FIJ’s Board of Trustees Bukky Shonibare on Friday, the organization acknowledged the collective efforts of local and international media organizations, civil society organizations, activists, lawyers, and active citizens which contributed to efforts that culminated in the freedom of the journalist.
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The statement read: “We note the significant effect of the media pressure and, more importantly, Thursday’s protests by civic actors in modifying what had been a deliberate misuse of state power by the police,” the statement read.
Shonibare emphasized the power of a united public in holding those in authority accountable, stating, “Saddening and primitive as they are, moments like this are a refreshing reminder of the potency of a united public to hold power to account.”
FIJ also made known its resolve to seek justice for Daniel Ojukwu and to prevent a recurrence of “blatant abuse of power and attacks on press freedom.”
“We are taking advice from our lawyers and will explore all legally permissible means to seek justice for Daniel Ojukwu and prevent a recurrence of such blatant abuse of power and attack on press freedom,” Shonibare stated.
Ojukwu’s ordeal began on May 1 when he went missing, with his phones switched off and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family, and friends. Initially, private investigators hired by FIJ tracked his last active location to Isheri Olofin, where they believe he was initially picked up by the police.
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Subsequent developments revealed that Ojukwu was detained at Panti, where authorities accused him of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act. He was later moved to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja and then to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
Abimbola Ojenike, Managing Partner of Slingstone, condemned the actions of the police, stating, “Daniel Ojukwu’s case is one of the most egregious cases of human rights violation and misuse of the powers of the Police against journalists. This will not go unchallenged. There’s significant public interest in Daniel’s human rights enforcement action that goes beyond just this violation. The constitutional right to free speech is dead if journalists can no longer expose the malfeasance in government officials without fear or oppression.”
A sizeable number of protesters led by frontline human rights and good governance crusader, Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and Bukky Shonibare besiege the Police Headquarters in Abuja to demand the release of the abducted journalist. The efforts of those activists, coupled with the consistent media reporting, apparently forced the police to release the journalist. The Explainer also observed that as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu heads towards his first year in office, the harassment, abduction and unlawful detention of journalists has been on the rise.
