Journalist Daniel Ojukwu, associated with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been released from police custody after enduring a harrowing 10-day ordeal.
Ojukwu’s abduction by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police sent shockwaves through the journalistic community, raising profound questions about press freedom and human rights in Nigeria.
According to reports disclosed by FIJ on Friday, Ojukwu’s freedom was restored following relentless efforts by his colleagues and legal representatives.
The journalist had vanished without a trace on Wednesday, May 1, leaving his loved ones gripped with anxiety as his whereabouts remained shrouded in mystery.
FIJ, demonstrating unwavering commitment to its member’s safety, promptly filed a missing person report with local authorities, sparking a frantic search for Ojukwu.
Despite initial uncertainties surrounding his disappearance, a breakthrough came when a private investigator engaged by FIJ traced the last known activity of Ojukwu’s phone to an address in Isheri Olofin.
Subsequent revelations suggested this location might have been the site of his initial detention by law enforcement.
Disturbingly, Ojukwu’s family learned of his confinement at Panti, where authorities purportedly accused him of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.
This revelation intensified concerns over the motives behind his apprehension and the potential infringements upon his rights as a journalist.
The situation took a further alarming turn when the Intelligence Response Team transferred Ojukwu to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
Here, FIJ’s legal team, spearheaded by prominent figures including Omoyele Sowore of SaharaReporters and Jide Oyekunle of Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Correspondent’s Chapel, faced formidable hurdles in negotiating his release.
The demand for stringent bail conditions, initially imposed by the police, underscored the gravity of Ojukwu’s predicament and the challenges encountered in securing his freedom.
However, mounting pressure from civil society organizations, culminating in a protest march at the Force Headquarters, compelled authorities to reconsider their stance.
Speaking on behalf of FIJ’s legal counsel, Abimbola Ojenike of Slingstone LP condemned Ojukwu’s ordeal as a flagrant violation of human rights and a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in the line of duty.
He emphasized the broader ramifications of Ojukwu’s case, asserting that safeguarding press freedom is essential for upholding democratic principles and holding those in power accountable.
