By Mark Aba
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), following his arraignment and continued detention over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
Ojukwu was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, on 12 counts bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
He was subsequently remanded in prison custody until December 1, 2026, when his bail hearing is scheduled to take place.
In a press statement issued on November 12, 2026, and signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya, the union said the charges stemmed from investigative reports published in 2023 and 2024 concerning public expenditure by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
The NUJ called for the withdrawal of all charges against Ojukwu and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, while demanding the journalist’s immediate release.
The union also cautioned the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies against what it described as the repeated use of the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation laws to intimidate, harass and silence journalists.
It recalled that Ojukwu had previously been abducted by police operatives and detained for 10 days in May 2024 over the same investigative reports.
According to the NUJ, journalism is a constitutionally protected public service, and the use of criminal justice mechanisms to punish reporters for investigating public expenditure threatens democratic accountability and press freedom.
The union cited Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee freedom of expression and recognise the role of the media in holding public authorities accountable.
It warned that prolonged pre-trial detention of investigative journalists over reports of public interest could create an atmosphere of fear within the media industry and discourage critical reporting.
The NUJ reaffirmed its solidarity with Ojukwu, the management of FIJ and other journalists committed to promoting transparency and accountability.
It urged the Federal Government, the Inspector-General of Police and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law, respect press freedom and ensure that journalists can perform their constitutional responsibilities without fear of arrest, detention or persecution.
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