Following public outrage and clamor, the Nigerian Police authorities have released Daniel Ojukwu, the detained journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ.
Ojukwu, who went missing last Wednesday with his phone numbers switched off and whereabouts unknown to colleagues, regained his freedom on Friday. 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.
Confirming Ojukwu’s release on its website, the FIJ said: “Daniel Ojukwu, the FIJ reporter who was abducted by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police, has regained freedom after 10 days in police captivity.”
“Ojukwu went missing on Wednesday May 1, his numbers switched off and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family and friends.
“Daniel Ojukwu is out.
“Thank you, Nigerians.
“Thank you, everyone.”
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FIJ’s attorney, Abimbola Ojenike, in reaction to the news was quoted as saying, “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 a 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,” he added.
Recall that on Thursday, a Nigerian coalition of media and civil society groups, protested the continued detention of the journalist, calling for his freedom.
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.
His release comes barely 10 days after his friends and family raised alarm of his whereabouts.
Credible News.ng
