A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), in Kuje prison until a bail hearing on 1 December, on a 12-count cybercrime and criminal defamation charge.
The ruling on Tuesday renewed debate over press freedom in Nigeria. The Associated Press reported that the case relates to FIJ reporting on alleged financial mismanagement involving a senior government official, while the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for the charges to be dropped.
What are the charges against Daniel Ojukwu?
CPJ, which reviewed the charge sheet, said Daniel Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts. They allege breaches of sections 27(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act, each carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison or a fine of 25mn naira ($18,570), and of sections 517 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, each carrying a maximum of two years.
AP reported that the case was filed by the office of the Inspector-General of Police and that the report at its centre concerned alleged mismanagement of more than 147mn naira ($109,000), according to the charge sheet it saw. CPJ said the charges are linked to four FIJ investigations, published between late 2023 and early 2024, into government contracts handled by the office of Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a special assistant on sustainable development goals.
What did the court and the lawyers say?
The court adjourned the case to 1 December to give prosecutors time to respond to a bail application filed by the defence, Oluseye Ayo Moore, one of FIJ’s lawyers, told CPJ. Another FIJ lawyer, Abimbola Ojenike, told AP that the charge was filed in September 2024 and that FIJ learned of it only recently, when Mr Ojukwu was detained.
Muiz Banire, the lawyer for Ms Orelope-Adefulire, defended the charges, CPJ said. He argued that journalists should practise responsible journalism and said they should show that what they published is accurate. CPJ said its calls and messages to Ms Orelope-Adefulire went unanswered, and neither AP nor CPJ reported a statement from the Nigeria Police Force.
FIJ’s founder, Fisayo Soyombo, faces the same charges but was not in court. FIJ’s lawyers told CPJ that he is expected at the next hearing.
Why does the Daniel Ojukwu case matter for press freedom?
Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, passed in 2015, has long been criticised as a tool for censoring reporters. AP cited a CPJ report from October 2024 that found at least 29 journalists had faced prosecution under the law. Nigeria ranks 112th of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders, an improvement of 10 places on 2025.
Amnesty International said on Wednesday that the detention raised concerns about the use of judicial processes to intimidate journalists. CPJ’s Africa director, Angela Quintal, said that with elections approaching, authorities should not ignore the effect of the charges on reporters’ ability to work freely.
It is not the first time Daniel Ojukwu has faced legal pressure over the same reporting. AP said he was secretly detained in Lagos in 2024 and later found in Abuja after several days missing, and was released after a public outcry. FIJ’s lawyers told CPJ the detention lasted 10 days. Press freedom concerns have also been raised elsewhere on the continent: DNE Africa reported on two journalists abducted in Ethiopia and released after 10 days in 2025.
What happens next?
Daniel Ojukwu will remain in Kuje until the bail hearing on 1 December, when prosecutors are due to respond to the defence application. Mr Soyombo is expected to appear. No trial date has been set in the reports reviewed.
FAQ
Who is Daniel Ojukwu?
He is a correspondent with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, a privately owned Nigerian investigative outlet, according to CPJ. He travelled to Abuja from Lagos for the hearing.
What is Daniel Ojukwu charged with?
He faces 12 counts under the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act, including cybercrime and criminal defamation charges, according to CPJ’s review of the charge sheet. He has pleaded not guilty.
When is the next hearing in the Daniel Ojukwu case?
The case returns to court on 1 December for a bail hearing. Until then he is held at Kuje, near Abuja.
Which other FIJ journalist is charged?
FIJ’s founder, Fisayo Soyombo, faces the same charges. He was not in court on Tuesday but is expected at the next hearing, FIJ’s lawyers said.
