SERAP, Amnesty, FDJ Demand Daniel Ojukwu’s Immediate Release, Condemn Prosecution Over Corruption Reports
Three human rights organisations, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Amnesty International Nigeria, and the Foundation for Digital Justice (FDJ), have condemned the remand of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, demanding his immediate release and the withdrawal of charges against him.
Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was remanded by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following his arraignment on a 12-count charge of alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation arising from investigative reports on the alleged expenditure of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, while the hearing of his pending bail application was adjourned until December 1, 2026.
The reports, published between November 2023 and January 2024, raised questions about payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom construction projects, as well as the reported failure of solar panels installed at some of the projects shortly after their completion.
In separate statements, the organisations expressed concern that the prosecution could intimidate journalists and discourage investigative reporting on corruption, public expenditure, and the activities of government officials.
SERAP called on President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to secure Ojukwu’s immediate release and end the prosecution of both the journalist and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, over the reports.
The organisation argued that matters involving public expenditure are legitimate subjects of public scrutiny and that authorities should respond to investigative reports by providing explanations, disclosing relevant records, and investigating any credible allegations of wrongdoing.
It also recalled that Ojukwu was previously detained for 10 days in May 2024 over reporting concerning the same public official and alleged expenditure of public funds.
SERAP maintained that his continued prosecution raises concerns about freedom of expression and media freedom, rights guaranteed under sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Similarly, Amnesty International Nigeria described Ojukwu’s detention as a serious concern, noting that he had faced legal proceedings since December 2024 following his reporting on alleged corruption and diversion of public funds involving government officials.
The organisation also recalled that Ojukwu was abducted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in May 2024 in connection with his journalistic work.
Amnesty called for an end to all forms of harassment and intimidation against Ojukwu and Soyombo, emphasising that journalists must be allowed to investigate and report allegations of corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations without fear of reprisals.
The Foundation for Digital Justice, in its statement dated Wednesday, November 11, 2026, also condemned the remand, describing the charges as baseless and demanding their immediate withdrawal.
Signed by its Senior Counsel, Festus Ogun, FDJ noted that the prosecution arose from investigative reports concerning contracts and payments linked to OSSAP-SDGs, headed by Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
The organisation recalled Ojukwu’s detention in May 2024 by officers of the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police, during which he was allegedly held incommunicado for days and detained for 10 days.
FDJ affirmed that it was working closely with Ojukwu’s legal team to support efforts to secure his release on bail and challenge the propriety of the charges.
The three organisations urged the Nigerian authorities to protect journalists from arbitrary arrest, detention, and prosecution, while ensuring that the country’s criminal laws are not used to punish individuals for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression.
They reiterated that journalists must be able to investigate public spending and hold public officials accountable without facing intimidation or imprisonment.
