The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has expressed concerns about the reported arrest and continued detention of Mr Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
It would be recalled that Ojukwu was detained for alleged violation of the 2015 Cybercrime Act by the Nigerian Police.
According to a report by the FIJ, Mr Ojukwu was abducted by the police on Wednesday, May 1, and his phones have since been switched off and his whereabouts undisclosed.
His family was reported to have only got wind of his whereabouts on Friday, May 3 2024, when he was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, in Lagos.
The statement by the group signed by Busola Ajibola, the Deputy Director at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, noted that the police confirmed arresting Daniel Ojukwu.
“In a phone conversation with CJID, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that Mr Ojukwu was arrested by men of the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) of the Nigerian Police and is detained at the facilities of the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti”
“CWPPF condemns the arrest and continued detention of Mr. Ojukwu. Arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists remain unacceptable as it negates the basic principles of democracy. “
“The arrest and continued detention of Mr Ojukwu was not only a violation of his fundamental human rights but also an assault on press freedom.”.
The group called for the immediate release of the detained journalist.
“We call on the Nigerian police to immediately release Mr Daniel Ojukwu and follow legal procedures to engage him.”.
The coalition also expressed worry about the use of the Cybersecurity act to intimidate journalists, stating the need for a stop to this.
“We also call on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Cybercrime Act 2015 ceases to be a weapon used in the harassment and arbitrary detainment of journalists and media workers. We make this call based on past instances where the Cybercrime law has been used to criminalise journalism, harass and detain them.”
“We reiterate that such intimidation constitutes an attack on press freedom and the right of the people to information.”
“The Nigerian Police, in this instance, must, therefore, avoid using the Cybercrimes Act to suppress investigative journalism aimed at entrenching a transparent and accountable system.”
“Journalism plays a critical role in democracy, and such actions are bound to undermine its core principles.” The statement read
There has been outrage over the arrest of Daniel Ojukwu by the Nigerian police, although the Police has not publicly reacted to the development as of the time of this report.
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