Three human rights organisations have condemned the remand of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, describing his prosecution as a threat to press freedom and demanding his immediate release.
The organisations – the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Amnesty International Nigeria and the Foundation for Digital Justice (FDJ) – also called for the withdrawal of criminal charges against Ojukwu and the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) founder, Fisayo Soyombo.
Ojukwu, a reporter with FIJ, was remanded by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following his arraignment on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
The charges arose from investigative reports questioning the expenditure of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
The journalist pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, the hearing of his bail application was adjourned until December 1, 2026.
The reports, published between November 2023 and January 2024, raised concerns over payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom construction projects, as well as allegations that solar panels installed at some of the facilities stopped functioning shortly after completion.
In separate statements, the three organisations warned that prosecuting journalists over reports on public spending could create a climate of fear, discourage investigative journalism and weaken accountability in public institutions.
SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to intervene to secure Ojukwu’s immediate release and discontinue the prosecution of both the journalist and Soyombo.
The organisation argued that public expenditure is a legitimate subject of public scrutiny and that government authorities should respond to investigative reports by providing explanations, releasing relevant records and investigating credible allegations of wrongdoing.
SERAP also recalled that Ojukwu was detained for 10 days in May 2024 over reporting concerning the same public official and alleged expenditure of public funds.
It warned that his continued prosecution raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and media freedom, rights protected under Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Similarly, Amnesty International Nigeria expressed concern over the journalist’s detention, noting that he had faced legal proceedings since December 2024 following his reports on alleged corruption and diversion of public funds involving government officials.
The organisation also recalled that Ojukwu was abducted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in May 2024 in connection with his journalistic work.
Amnesty called on the authorities to end what it described as harassment and intimidation of Ojukwu and Soyombo, insisting that journalists must be able to investigate and report allegations of corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations without fear of reprisals.
The Foundation for Digital Justice, in a statement dated Wednesday, November 11, 2026, also condemned the remand order and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the charges, describing them as baseless.
Signed by its Senior Counsel, Festus Ogun, the organisation said the prosecution stemmed from investigative reports on contracts and payments linked to OSSAP-SDGs, then headed by Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
FDJ further recalled Ojukwu’s detention in May 2024 by officers of the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police, during which he was allegedly held incommunicado for several days before being detained for 10 days.
The organisation said it was working closely with Ojukwu’s legal team to secure his release on bail and challenge the propriety of the charges.
The three organisations urged Nigerian authorities to protect journalists against arbitrary arrest, detention and prosecution, warning against the use of criminal laws to punish individuals for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
They stressed that investigative journalism remains critical to exposing corruption, monitoring public expenditure and holding public officials accountable.
They maintained that journalists should not face intimidation or imprisonment for asking questions about how public resources are spent.
