A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on 12 counts of alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation arising from investigative reports published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts. The court adjourned proceedings until December 1, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application, leaving the journalist in custody pending the next hearing.
The criminal case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024, was instituted by the Inspector-General of Police against Ojukwu and FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo.
Former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun is identified as the complainant in the charge, which was dated September 19, 2024.
The prosecution alleges that the journalists conspired to commit cyberstalking and criminal defamation through a series of investigative publications concerning Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The reports examined financial transactions and project execution under the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, including payments for classroom construction and other public projects.
One of the investigations, published on November 7, 2023, alleged that the office paid N147.1 million to Enseno Global Ventures Limited, an Abuja-based restaurant, for the construction of a skill acquisition centre and classrooms at Ajeromi Primary School in Lagos State.
Another report questioned a separate N47.5 million contract awarded to Tru3 Nigeria Limited, including concerns about the contractor’s capacity to execute the project and the progress of the work.
Other investigations examined the forfeiture of N241 million linked to the SDGs office through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the reported failure of solar panels installed at classroom facilities in Ogun State.
According to the prosecution, the publications contained statements that allegedly exposed Orelope-Adefulire to harassment and fear of physical harm. The journalists have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Previous Arrest And Detention In May 2024
Ojukwu’s latest detention follows an earlier arrest in May 2024 over the same investigative reports.
On May 1, 2024, the FIJ reporter went missing in Lagos, prompting concerns from his family and colleagues after his phone became unreachable.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism subsequently launched efforts to establish his whereabouts. A private investigator engaged by the organisation reportedly traced his phone’s last active location to the Isheri Olofin area of Ikeja.
The organisation later established that Ojukwu was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Lagos, by officers linked to the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team.
He was subsequently transferred to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja as investigations continued over alleged violations of the Cybercrimes Act.
His arrest attracted widespread criticism from journalists, human rights organisations and civil society groups, particularly over concerns about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and detention.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for his immediate release, arguing that Nigerian authorities should not intimidate journalists investigating the management of public funds.
Ojukwu regained his freedom on May 10, 2024, after spending approximately 10 days in police custody.
The police had maintained that he was being investigated over alleged cyber-related offences following a complaint connected to his reporting.
Court Declines To Issue Warrant Against Fisayo Soyombo
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution also sought a bench warrant against Fisayo Soyombo, who was absent from court.
However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the request, explaining that the court could not issue a warrant against the second defendant who had not previously been brought before it.
Soyombo, the founder of FIJ, is named alongside Ojukwu in the 12-count charge.
Ojukwu’s defence lawyers, including Atanda Kayode, Ayo Oluseye, Olaoluwa Ariyo and MBI Amosun, drew the court’s attention to a pending bail application and requested that the journalist be allowed to continue enjoying the administrative bail previously granted by the police.
The prosecution, represented by Kunle Lawal and other counsel, sought his remand after the journalist entered his plea.
The court declined to consider the bail application immediately, noting that it had only been filed the previous day, and subsequently ordered his transfer to Kuje Correctional Centre.
Amnesty International, SERAP Demand Immediate Release
The latest detention has attracted renewed criticism from human rights organisations, with Amnesty International demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Ojukwu.
The organisation said his detention raised serious concerns about the use of judicial processes to intimidate journalists and undermine freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.
Amnesty International also called on Nigerian authorities to end all forms of harassment and intimidation against Fisayo Soyombo, insisting that he should be allowed to carry out legitimate investigative journalism without fear of reprisals.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has similarly called on President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to ensure Ojukwu’s release and end the prosecution of journalists over reports concerning alleged misuse of public funds.
SERAP argued that the investigations raised legitimate questions about public expenditure and should have prompted explanations and disclosure of relevant government records.
The organisation also referenced provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protect freedom of expression.
Human rights lawyer Festus Ogun also criticised the remand order, describing it as unconstitutional and an abuse of judicial process.
Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore questioned the decision to keep the journalist in detention until the December 1 bail hearing, arguing that such delays risk amounting to punishment before conviction.
Human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu also criticised the decision, questioning the prosecution of journalists over reports concerning alleged expenditure of public funds.
Renewed Debate Over Press Freedom In Nigeria
The case has reopened debate about the use of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act in cases involving journalists, particularly those investigating alleged corruption and public-sector accountability.
Although the law was amended in 2024 following concerns about provisions being used against journalists and critics, rights organisations continue to raise questions about its application.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice had also ruled in 2022 that Section 24 of the original Cybercrimes Act contained arbitrary and repressive provisions and directed Nigeria to bring the law in line with its human rights obligations.
Ojukwu’s prosecution now places renewed attention on the relationship between investigative journalism, public accountability and the protection of freedom of expression.
While the allegations against the journalists remain before the court, media freedom advocates maintain that reporting on the expenditure of public funds is a legitimate journalistic responsibility and that criminal proceedings must not be used to punish reporters for raising questions about government activities.
As Ojukwu remains at Kuje Correctional Centre awaiting his bail hearing on December 1, 2026, attention is also turning to the legal position of Soyombo, who remains the second defendant in the case.
The proceedings are expected to remain a significant test of the protection of investigative journalism and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
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