CSOs Warn IGP Against Cybercrime Act Misuse, Urge Release of Detained FIJ Reporter

By: Abubakar Ismail Kankara

Frighteningly, Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter for the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was declared missing on Wednesday, May 1, was discovered to be arrested and detained in Nigerian police custody. This incident comes at a time when the world is emphasising the importance of press freedom, as marked by the United Nations, to celebrate the resilience and invaluable contributions journalists make while carrying out their professional duties.

According to a report published by the FIJ, Ojukwu’s phone’s last location was tracked by a private detective hired by them. The findings revealed an address in Isheri Olofin, a location that seems to be where he was arrested by the police. However, the police have declined to provide details of his arrest or contact details of the investigating police officer handling Ojukwu’s matter when a family member visited.

Furthermore, the FIJ reports indicated that the officers allegedly involved in or claiming to have arrested the journalist are part of the IG Monitoring Team. They informed FIJ that Ojukwu and others are on their watch list, and therefore, they plan to transfer them to Abuja.

However, in a telephone conversation, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed to CJID the arrest of Ojukwu by men of the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) of the Nigerian Police. He stated that Ojukwu is currently detained at the facilities of the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

Budgit, Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection, and Press Freedom Calls for Ojukwu Immediate Release

Following the publication on World Press Freedom Day that disclosed the arrest and continued detention of Daniel Ojukwu by Nigerian police, allegations emerged that he was denied access to legal representation. In response, both Budgit, a prominent civic-tech organisation, and the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) expressed deep concern over Ojukwu’s sudden situation.

In separate releases, signed by Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of CJID, representing the Coalition, and Nancy Odimegwu for Budgit, they called on the authorities to ensure his immediate release and to uphold press freedom and the rights of journalists to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or persecution.

Furthermore, the CWPPF statement calls on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Cybercrime Act 2015 is not misused to harass or arbitrarily detain journalists and media workers. Past instances where this law has been used to criminalise journalism are highlighted, with the statement stressing that such actions constitute an attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information.

The statement concludes by urging the Nigerian Police to refrain from using the Cybercrimes Act to suppress investigative journalism aimed at promoting transparency and accountability within the system, emphasising the critical role of journalism in democracy and the importance of upholding its core principles.