By Osaigbovo Okungbowa, Senior Political correspondent
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a dramatic turn of events, journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who had been detained by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police, has finally been released after intense protests from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), spent a harrowing 10 days in police custody before regaining his freedom.
The ordeal began when Ojukwu mysteriously went missing on Wednesday, May 1, with his phone switched off and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family, and friends. Concerns escalated when FIJ’s efforts to locate him proved fruitless, prompting the organization to file a missing person report with the police.
Despite FIJ’s diligent efforts, it was a hired detective who managed to track the last active location of Ojukwu’s phones to an address in Isheri Olofin. It is now believed that this location was where the police initially apprehended him. Ojukwu’s family later discovered that he was being held at Panti, where authorities accused him of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.
The situation took a concerning turn when the Intelligence Response Team transferred Ojukwu to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja. FIJ’s legal team, led by prominent figures such as SaharaReporters’ publisher Omoyele Sowore and Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Correspondent’s Chapel chairman Jide Oyekunle, faced stringent bail conditions set by the police.
As tensions mounted, civil society organizations, joined by notable figures including legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju and pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore, staged a protest at the Force Headquarters in Abuja demanding Ojukwu’s release. The public outcry appeared to have an impact, prompting the police to reconsider their stance.
Abimbola Ojenike, Managing Partner of Slingstone LP and FIJ’s attorneys, condemned Ojukwu’s detention as a severe violation of human rights and an abuse of police power against journalists. Ojenike emphasized the broader significance of Ojukwu’s case, stressing that it underscores the vital importance of upholding journalists’ constitutional right to free speech.
In response to the mounting pressure from civil society and media advocates, the police began to backtrack, ultimately leading to Ojukwu’s release on Friday. The successful outcome of this ordeal serves as a testament to the power of public outcry and collective action in holding authorities accountable for violations of fundamental rights.
As journalists continue to play a crucial role in exposing malfeasance and holding those in power to account, Ojukwu’s case stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by media professionals in the pursuit of truth and justice. Moving forward, it is imperative that efforts to safeguard press freedom and uphold human rights remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
