A coalition of civil society groups, represented by the Action Group for the Protection of Civic Actors, alongside human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, held a demonstration at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Their primary demand was the release of journalist Daniel Ojukwu from detention since May 1, 2024, under the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
The coalition emphasized the importance of press freedom and the preservation of civic space in Nigeria, pledging to continue their protest until Ojukwu is freed. Speaking for the coalition, Bukky Shonibare stressed the critical role of a free press and public engagement in democracy.
She condemned Ojukwu’s arrest and prolonged detention as violations of democratic principles and the rule of law, citing concerns over escalating attacks on press freedom nationwide. The coalition highlighted the constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press and expression, underscoring the misuse of state resources and legal instruments to suppress dissent.
Despite the absence of formal charges, Ojukwu remains in custody, contravening constitutional provisions protecting personal liberties and dignity. The coalition denounced such actions as unconstitutional and called for adherence to democratic norms by law enforcement agencies.
Sowore criticized the police leadership’s disregard for the rule of law and urged the immediate release of Ojukwu, warning of nationwide protests otherwise. He reminded authorities of recent amendments to cybercrime laws, asserting that charging journalists with cyberstalking is unjustifiable.
The coalition includes various civil society organizations and media outlets, uniting to advocate for press freedom and accountability in governance. Their collective efforts aim to uphold democratic values amidst threats to civic space in Nigeria.