Finally, detained journalist Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism ,FIJ, has regained his freedom, following his release by the Nigerian police on Friday.
Daniel Ojukwu, was arrested by the Nigerian police on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, after he
It was gathered that his release was made possible a day after a coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of Action Group for the Protection of Civic Actors and a human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore staged a protest at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to demand his release.
In another breath, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, DIG Ayuba Ede, on Thursday, disclosed that journalist’s freedom was at the discretion of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.
In a dramatic version, Ojukwu was asked away by the police in Lagos on Wednesday, May 1 and transferred to Abuja about three days later.
Action Group for the Protection of Civic Actors had raised concern over the state of press freedom and shrinking civic space in Nigeria and vowed to continue to occupy the building where the journalist was kept in custody.
Ojukwu was arrested over his November report, which alleged that Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, paid 147 million naira (US$106,154) of government money for school construction into a restaurant’s bank account, according to the FIJ and its founder, Fisayo Soyombo, who spoke to CPJ.
The petition was written by a former National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Muiz Banire (SAN) on behalf of Orelope-Adefulire.
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