Rights groups condemn arrest of Nigerian journalist
Media watchdogs and press freedom groups have denounced the arrest of a Nigerian journalist who they say was detained after reporting on alleged corruption involving a former high-ranking government official.
Daniel Ojukwu who works for the Foundation for Investigative Journalism or FIJ has not been heard from since the start of May, the Committee to Protect Journalists or CPJ said
According to a CPJ statement, Ojukwu's colleagues and family learned of his arrest in Lagos and transfer to the capital Abuja on charges of violating laws related to cybercrimes.
"Nigerian authorities must promptly and unconditionally release journalist Daniel Ojukwu and stop harassing and detaining journalists who publish investigative reports into corruption," said Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa program, from New York.
Media officials for Lagos state police and the national police could not immediately be contacted for comment on the case.
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Rights group Amnesty International also appealed to Nigerian authorities to free Ojukwu.
"Amnesty International again calls on the Nigerian authorities to release Daniel Ojukwu -- who is unlawfully detained and to stop targeting journalists merely for doing their job," the group said on X, formerly Twitter.
FIJ cited a police petition saying he had been arrested in relation to his article on alleged misuse of public funds by a special assistant in former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
Reporters without Borders or RSF ranks Nigeria one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are regularly monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested, as was the case during the 2023 elections.
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