Amnesty International Nigeria says the Nigerian Government of President Bola Tinubu is using judicial processes to intimidate journalists and undermine freedom of expression and media freedom in the country.
Amnesty International Nigeria stated this in a statement published on its X platform on Wednesday as it called on the Nigerian Government to immediately and unconditionally release investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was remanded in prison custody for 21 days by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ojukwu, an investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has faced legal ordeal since December 2024 following his reports on alleged corruption and diversion of public funds involving government officials.
The organisation recalled that the journalist was abducted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in May 2024 in connection with his journalistic work.
It noted that journalism is not a crime and that exposing allegations of corruption should not be treated as an offence urged the authorities to refrain from using criminal laws and judicial processes to intimidate, harass, punish or silence journalists, activists, human rights defenders and other government critics.
It added that attempts to silence investigative journalists through intimidation or the misuse of the criminal justice system posed a serious threat to freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.
Amnesty International called on the government to respect, protect and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and press freedom, including the right of journalists and citizens to investigate, report on and criticise public officials and government policies without fear of reprisals.
The rights orgnisation expressed concern that his continued prosecution and detention could be part of a broader pattern of using the criminal justice system to punish journalists for reporting allegations of corruption and holding public officials accountable.
According to the group, Ojukwu’s remand for another 21 days could deepen fear and intimidation among journalists and other media professionals.
It therefore urged the authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings against Ojukwu comply with international human rights standards, particularly the right to a fair trial and guarantees of due process.
The organisation further asked the government to end what it described as harassment, intimidation and targeting of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo.
It urged the authorities to respect Soyombo’s right to carry out legitimate journalistic activities, including investigating and exposing corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations, without fear of reprisal
Amnesty International maintained that no journalist should face threats, intimidation or punitive measures for holding public officials accountable.
It aslo urged the government to guarantee that journalists, including Ojukwu and Soyombo, could work freely and independently without fear of arbitrary arrest, detention or prosecution.