TheCable

The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) says it is exploring all legally permissible means to get justice for Daniel Ojukwu, its journalist, detained by the police.

In a statement on Friday, Bukky Shonibare, chairperson of FIJ’s board of trustees, appreciated journalists and activists who called for the release of Ojukwu.

BACKGROUND

Ojukwu regained his freedom on Friday after he was “abducted” by police officers in Lagos on May 1.

The family of the journalist and FIJ management were unaware of his whereabouts until 48 hours after he was declared missing.

The journalist could not communicate with his family and friends as his mobile gadgets were seized.

Later, his family received a report that he was detained at the state criminal investigation department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, for allegedly violating the Cybercrime Act of 2015.

On May 5, the journalist was moved from Lagos to the national cybercrime centre in Abuja.

Afterwards, it was disclosed that Ojukwu was detained over a story he did on contract procurement by the office of the senior special assistant to the president on sustainable development goals (OSSAP-SDGs).

Several civil society organisations (CSOs) and well-meaning Nigerians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, called on the police to release the journalist.

On Wednesday, Shonibare told TheCable that police gave stringent bail conditions for the release of the Journalist.

On Thursday, a coalition of CSOs organised a protest at the force headquarters in Abuja, demanding Ojukwu’s release

After spending nine nights in police custody, Ojukwu was released on Friday.

‘WE MUST PREVENT RECURRENCE OF BLATANT ABUSE OF POWER’

Shonibare described Ojukwu’s detention as a “deliberate misuse of state power by the police”.

“We note the significant effect of the media pressure and, more importantly, Thursday’s protests by civic actors in modifying what had been a deliberate misuse of state power by the police,” the statement reads.

“Saddening and primitive as they are, moments like this are a refreshing reminder of the potency of a united public to hold power to account.

“Finally, we are taking advice from our lawyers and will explore all legally permissible means to seek justice for Daniel Ojukwu and prevent a recurrence of such blatant abuse of power and attack on press freedom.”