Tinubu Govt Under Fire Over Journalist’s Remand

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has confronted criticism over the remand of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu.

NOP NIGERIA stories that Ojukwu was remanded over stories that raised questions in regards to the administration of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals, led by Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

Media and civil society organisations condemned the prosecution and warned that it poses a menace to press freedom and democratic accountability.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, the West Africa Editors Society and a coalition of media and civil society organisations demanded Ojukwu’s speedy and unconditional launch.

Their reactions got here amid mounting criticism from native and worldwide proper teams over the Federal High Court’s resolution to remand Ojukwu within the Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja, till December 1, when his bail software could be heard.

Ojukwu, a correspondent with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was arraigned on Tuesday earlier than Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on 12 counts bordering on cyberstalking and prison defamation over investigations into Orelope-Adefulire’s workplace.

He pleaded not responsible to all the costs.

In a joint assertion titled, ‘A Dangerous Attack on Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability’, the coalition described the choice to remand Ojukwu, regardless of his attorneys’ request that he be allowed to proceed on his earlier administrative bail, as a disturbing escalation in using prison prosecution towards journalists.

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The coalition mentioned the stories on the centre of the case raised professional questions on public expenditure, together with funds of N147.1m and N47.5m for classroom building tasks and considerations in regards to the performance of photo voltaic installations reportedly accomplished underneath the tasks.

It argued that public officers and establishments entrusted with public assets have to be ready to clarify their selections and expenditure to Nigerians.

“The appropriate response to investigative journalism should be far from intimidation, detention, or criminal prosecution. Where a report is considered inaccurate or defamatory, the law provides legitimate avenues for redress that must be pursued in a manner consistent with constitutional guarantees and Nigeria’s human rights obligations,” the assertion learn.

Similarly, the NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, instructed Saturday PUNCH that the union was demanding Ojukwu’s unconditional launch and the withdrawal of fees towards him and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, who’s the second defendant within the case.

He cautioned the Nigeria Police Force and different safety companies towards what he described because the weaponisation of the Cybercrimes Act and prison defamation legal guidelines to harass, abduct and silence journalists.

Yahya recalled that Ojukwu was beforehand arrested and detained for 10 days in May 2024 over the identical report earlier than his launch following public outcry.

He described the most recent remand as a troubling recurrence.

“Journalism is a constitutionally mandated public service, not a crime; deploying the apparatus of the criminal justice system to punish reporters for scrutinising public spending undermines the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy,” he mentioned.

The NUJ president urged the authorities to respect constitutional ensures of freedom of expression and the press, citing 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.

The West Africa Editors Society additionally condemned Ojukwu’s incarceration, urging the authorities to drop the costs and launch him.

In an announcement signed by Emmanuel Dogbevi and made out there to Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, WAES expressed concern that Nigeria, regardless of its historical past of journalism and democratic advocacy, was more and more witnessing the punishment of journalists for performing their skilled duties.

“Journalism has in the past and even today brought honour to Nigeria, and the actions of a few officials should not bring the country to disrepute,” the society mentioned.

The coalition warned that Ojukwu’s detention might have penalties extending past the journalist and FIJ.

It urged the federal government to handle the problems raised within the FIJ investigations via the discharge of related information, unbiased scrutiny and applicable accountability mechanisms.

The newest condemnations add to earlier calls by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Amnesty International Nigeria and the Committee to Protect Journalists for Ojukwu’s launch.

Ojukwu’s prosecution arose from FIJ investigations printed between late 2023 and early 2024, which questioned contracts and funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

One of the stories, printed on November 7, 2023, was titled, ‘Special Report: Two weeks before end of Buhari’s tenure, particular assistant, Adefulire paid a restaurant N147.1m to construct lecture rooms in Lagos. Loads was amiss.’

The investigation examined an alleged cost of N147,127,467.58 to Enseno Global Ventures Limited for a ability acquisition centre and classroom tasks, elevating questions in regards to the firm’s operations and capability to execute the contracts.

Another report questioned a N47.5m classroom building contract awarded to Tru3 Nigeria Limited, together with considerations in regards to the firm’s standing and its alleged failure to mobilise to the challenge website.

FIJ additionally reported that photo voltaic panels put in at a few of the tasks stopped functioning shortly after completion.

The investigations questioned the procurement course of, the contractors’ capability and the execution of the tasks.

According to the cost sheet, the prosecution alleged that Ojukwu and Soyombo conspired to commit cyberstalking and printed stories on the FIJ web site that allegedly positioned Orelope-Adefulire in worry of dying, violence or bodily hurt.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024 and titled, ‘Inspector-General of Police vs Daniel Ojukwu & Anor’, lists the previous Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, because the complainant.

The fees had been introduced underneath the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and so forth.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Ojukwu’s attorneys, Oluseye Ayo Moore and Abimbola Ojenike, requested the court docket to permit him to proceed on his earlier administrative bail.

Justice Abdulmalik declined the request, ruling that the recent bail software filed on Monday was not ripe for listening to.

She adjourned the matter till December 1 to permit the prosecution to reply.

The prosecution additionally requested a bench warrant towards Soyombo, who was absent from court docket, however the decide declined, saying the second defendant had not been correctly served.

Credit: PUNCH

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