Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been released from custody.
Ojukwu had been arrested by police since May 1, after being “abducted” by police personnel in Lagos.
The journalist’s family and FIJ management had no idea where he was until 48 hours after he was reported missing.
The journalist was unable to interact with his family and friends since his devices were taken.
The journalist’s family then learned that Ojukwu had been imprisoned at the state criminal investigation department in Panti, Lagos, for allegedly breaking the 2015 Cybercrime Act.
On May 5, the journalist was transferred from Lagos to the national cybercrime centre in Abuja.
Later, it was determined that Ojukwu had been jailed in connection with a story about contract procurement by the president’s senior special assistant for sustainable development goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
Many CSOs and well-meaning Nigerians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have urged the police to free the journalist.
On Wednesday, Bukky Shonibare, chairperson of FIJ’s board of trustees, told TheCable that police imposed tough bail terms for the Journalist’s release.
On Thursday, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) held a demonstration at the force headquarters in Abuja, demanding Ojukwu’s release.
Among the CSOs are Gatefield, Invictus Africa, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Accountability Lab, Global Rights, Dataphyte, Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
