NUJ demands immediate release of FIJ reporter, Daniel Ojukwu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), after Ojukwu was remanded in custody due to reports questioning public spending.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NUJ National President Alhassan Yahaya expressed deep concern regarding Ojukwu’s ongoing detention and the charges against him. Ojukwu was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 10, 2026, facing 12 counts of alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation. Following the arraignment, the court ordered Ojukwu to be held until a bail hearing scheduled for December 1, 2026. The charges are connected to his investigative reports published in 2023 and 2024, which examine expenditures by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
The NUJ is joined by local and international human rights organizations in calling for the withdrawal of all charges against Ojukwu and FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo. The union criticized the use of the criminal justice system to penalize journalists who investigate public spending, stating such actions undermine Nigeria’s democratic principles.
The NUJ urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to refrain from the perceived weaponization of the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation laws, which they argue are being used to intimidate and silence media professionals. Yahaya highlighted that Ojukwu previously faced a 10-day abduction by police in May 2024 related to his investigative work.
Emphasizing the importance of press freedom, Yahaya reminded authorities that the right to hold the government accountable is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and supported by international agreements, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The NUJ president warned that prolonged pre-trial detention of investigative journalists over matters of public interest instills fear in the media. In a show of solidarity with Ojukwu, the management of FIJ, and other journalists dedicated to transparency, the NUJ called on the Federal Government, the Inspector-General of Police, and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and respect press freedom, ensuring that media professionals can perform their duties without fear of arrest or persecution.
