Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the detention of Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Daniel Ojukwu went missing on May 1, with his phone unreachable, leaving his colleagues, family, and associates in a state of uncertainty regarding his whereabouts.
It was later discovered that he was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos State, on allegations of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.
The management of FIJ revealed that Ojukwu’s detention was related to his investigative report on contract procurement by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
Fisayo Soyombo, the founder of FIJ, disclosed that Ojukwu was transferred to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.
In a statement shared on his X page, Atiku described Ojukwu’s arrest as both irresponsible and a violation of press freedom.
He highlighted the irony of the arrest occurring just 48 hours after a government minister boasted about no journalist being incarcerated under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku drew a connection between Ojukwu’s detention and his investigative works, particularly his recent expose on an alleged high-profile smuggler with ties to government officials.
He also referenced the previous arrests of journalists Segun Olatunji and Chinonso Uba, criticizing what he perceives as a growing trend of government suppression of the press.
The ex-vice president emphasized the importance of safeguarding press freedom and called for Ojukwu’s immediate release.
He urged relevant authorities to uphold constitutional guarantees of a free press and ensure Ojukwu’s freedom.
“Two days ago, on the occasion of the #WorldPressFreedomDay, a minister of this administration boasted that no journalist had been incarcerated by this administration,” Atiku said.
“The arrest of Ojukwu may not be unconnected with the groundbreaking investigative works of the independent Foundation for Investigative Journalism that has exposed alleged high profile smuggler with links to top officials of this administration.
“I wish to also remind of the arrest and detention of Segun Olatunji of FirstNews Newspaper and Chinonso Uba aka Nonso Ukwa of Oziza FM Radio.
“It is not only irresponsible to arrest journalists for exposing the ills that abound in this government, it is also a breach of their constitutionally guaranteed #FreePress.
“That the arrest of Ojukwu came barely 48 hours after the observance of the World Press Freedom Day, speaks volumes of the character of the Tinubu administration to freedom of the press.
“The least that is expected of the relevant authorities is to #FreeOjukwu,” he stated.
KanyiDaily had also reported how Naziru Idris Yau, a journalist working with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), was struck by a stray bullet inside the government house in Kano state.
