The Action Group on the Protection of Civic Actors, a Nigerian coalition of media and civil society groups, has protested the continued detention of a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu, calling for his freedom.
Ojukwu went missing on May 1 in Lagos. But it was later found out that he was detained and held in a police station for allegedly violating the country’s Cybercrime Act, often criticized as a tool for censorship.
The arrest of Ojukwu, who was later transferred to the Nigerian capital of Abuja, followed his report about alleged financial mismanagement of over N147 million ($104,600) involving a senior government official, according to his employer.
His continued detention has elicited calls for his freedom. On Thursday, the coalition stormed the Force Headquarters in Abuja to press for Ojukwu’s release.
While addressing journalists, the spokesperson of the group, Bukky Shonibare, said the recent surge in attacks on press freedom and the silencing of dissenting voices is becoming alarming.
She said that after nine days in detention after forcefully arresting Ojukwu on alleged orders of the inspector general of police, the police are duty bound to file charges against him or release him unconditionally.
Activists who attended the protest include, Deji Adenyanju, Omoyele Sowore, Dr Uzor Ngoladi, Bukky Shonibare etc.
