Amnesty demands Ojukwu's release, says ‘journalism isn’t a crime’

Amnesty International has accused Nigerian authorities of using the criminal justice system to intimidate investigative journalists, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded in prison custody for 21 days by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The human rights organisation also called on the government to end what it described as the harassment and intimidation of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, warning that targeting reporters for exposing alleged corruption threatens press freedom and freedom of expression.
Amnesty International Nigeria made the demands in a statement published on its X platform on Wednesday, expressing concern over Ojukwu's continued prosecution and detention.

Ojukwu, an investigative journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, has faced legal proceedings since December 2024 following reports on alleged corruption and diversion of public funds involving government officials.

The organisation recalled that police officers abducted the journalist in May 2024 over his journalistic work, warning that his latest remand could reinforce a climate of fear among media professionals.

It said the development raised concerns about the use of judicial processes to punish journalists for investigating allegations of corruption and holding public officials accountable.
Amnesty warned that keeping Ojukwu in custody for another 21 days could deepen intimidation within the media industry and discourage journalists from pursuing sensitive investigations.

The organisation urged the authorities to ensure that all legal proceedings against him complied with international human rights standards, particularly the right to a fair trial and guarantees of due process.

It also called on the government to respect Soyombo's right to undertake legitimate journalistic activities, including investigating and exposing corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations, without fear of reprisals.

Amnesty maintained that no journalist should face threats, intimidation or punitive measures for holding public officials accountable.
It further urged the government to guarantee that journalists, including Ojukwu and Soyombo, could work freely and independently without fear of arbitrary arrest, detention or prosecution.

The organisation said attempts to silence investigative reporters through intimidation or the misuse of the criminal justice system posed a serious threat to press freedom in Nigeria.
It called on the authorities to stop using criminal laws and judicial processes to harass, punish or silence journalists, activists, human rights defenders and other government critics.

Amnesty also stressed that journalists and citizens must be free to investigate, report and criticise public officials and government policies without reprisals.
It maintained that journalism should not be criminalised and that exposing allegations of corruption should not be treated as an offence.