Nigeria’s court remands journalist Daniel Ojukwu on 12 counts
Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to cybercrime and criminal defamation charges linked to investigations of a presidential aide’s office. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
In this article
A federal court in Abuja ordered journalist Daniel Ojukwu held at Kuje Custodial Centre on 10 November, after he pleaded not guilty to 12 cybercrime and criminal defamation counts. The charges concern investigations by his employer, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
The investigations were also connected to Ojukwu’s secret arrest in May 2024, when he was held for 10 days, FIJ’s lawyers told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which reviewed the charge sheet. Premium Times reported that he went missing on 1 May and was released on 10 May.
FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo faces the same charges but was absent from court. Judge Joyce Abdulmalik rejected a prosecution request for his arrest warrant, saying he had not yet been brought before her, Premium Times said.
What police allege
Nigerian police brought the case over four FIJ investigations published between November 2023 and January 2024. The stories concerned the office of Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the president’s senior special assistant on sustainable development goals. Police allege that the journalists conspired, committed cyberstalking and knowingly published false and defamatory material about her. Police also allege that the publications were intended to harass her and put her in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.
| Publication date | Subject |
|---|---|
| 7 November 2023 | A reported 147.1 million naira payment to a restaurant to build classrooms in Lagos. |
| 9 November 2023 | An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forfeiture of 241 million naira linked to the office. |
| 3 December 2023 | A 47.5 million naira classroom construction contract awarded to Tru3 Nigeria Limited, including questions about the contractor’s status and its alleged failure to mobilize to the site. |
| 21 January 2024 | FIJ said solar panels at classroom blocks stopped working a week after installation. |
Orelope-Adefulire’s lawyer, Muiz Banire, defended the charges and called for responsible journalism. He challenged the accuracy of the investigations, telling CPJ: “Let them show you that what they published about my client is correct.”
CPJ said sections 27(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act each carry a maximum of 10 years in prison or a 25 million naira fine; sections 517 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act each carry a maximum of two years in prison. CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal called for the charges to be dropped and said they could damage press freedom and journalists’ ability to report without fear as elections approach.
The bail hearing
Abdulmalik said Ojukwu’s bail application, filed the day before the hearing, was not ready to be heard. She also refused to continue his earlier police administrative bail, saying the charges had been served long before. The defense said Ojukwu had not violated the terms of that bail.
The court is scheduled to hear the bail application on 1 December. FIJ lawyer Oluseye Ayo Moore told CPJ the case was adjourned to give prosecutors time to respond; Moore and fellow FIJ lawyer Abimbola Ojenike said Soyombo is expected at the next hearing.
Earlier in Politics
GovernmentGermany’s integration report puts immigrant employment near 70%
The report also records a rise in employed people without German citizenship, from about 1.8 million in 2009 to 5.8 million in 2025, while identifying barriers for women and young refugees.
3 min
ConflictG7 ministers commit to more winter energy support for Ukraine
The foreign ministers agreed in Paris to increase financial and material support for Ukraine’s energy security, building on an earlier pledge to help the country through winter.
2 min
EarthTurkey’s energy plan aims for independence by 2040, HRW says
Human Rights Watch says the plan announced on 5 November aims to expand electrification and renewable investment but sets no concrete target for phasing out fossil fuels.
3 min
