The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to secure the immediate release of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
According to a statement on Wednesday, SERAP also demanded an end to the prosecution and harassment of Ojukwu and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, over investigative reports concerning the alleged expenditure of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
Ojukwu was reportedly remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre on Tuesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following his arraignment on 12 counts bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
The journalist pleaded not guilty to all the charges, while the court adjourned the hearing of his pending bail application until December 1, 2026.
In the statement, SERAP expressed concern that Ojukwu’s detention could intimidate journalists and discourage others from investigating and reporting alleged corruption and the management of public funds.
The organisation said the prosecution stemmed from investigative reports published in 2023 and January 2024, which questioned payments of ₦147.1 million and ₦47.5 million for classroom construction projects.
The reports also raised concerns over the alleged failure of solar panels installed at some of the projects shortly after their completion.
SERAP described the issues as matters of legitimate public interest, arguing that public officials and institutions must be prepared to answer questions about their decisions and the management of public resources.
It maintained that the appropriate response to investigative reports raising concerns about public expenditure was for authorities to provide explanations, disclose relevant records and investigate any allegations of wrongdoing rather than prosecute and imprison journalists.
The organisation further noted that Ojukwu had previously spent 10 days in detention in May 2024 over reports concerning the same public official and alleged expenditure of public funds.
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It warned that his continued prosecution could create an atmosphere of fear among journalists and discourage critical reporting on corruption.
SERAP cited Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, noting that the provisions protect freedom of expression and media freedom.
According to the organisation, these protections include the right to seek, receive and share information and opinions, including those that may be critical, controversial or unwelcome to public officials.
It stressed that freedom of expression was particularly important in reporting alleged corruption, public expenditure and the conduct of individuals entrusted with public responsibilities.
The organisation added that public officials must tolerate robust scrutiny and criticism, especially concerning the exercise of public power and the management of public resources.
SERAP also referenced Paragraph 47 of the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s General Comment No. 34, which cautions against the use of defamation laws to suppress freedom of expression.
The committee urged states to recognise truth and public interest as defences in defamation cases, avoid excessively punitive measures and consider decriminalising defamation.