The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has defended its unlawful abduction and prolonged detention of Daniel Ojukwu, an FIJ reporter, describing it as aligning with “standard investigative procedures”.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page late on Friday, hours after the release of the reporter whom they abducted on May 1, the police claimed that his “arrest” was not only justifiable under the law but Ojukwu also has a case to answer.

The statement, released by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force public relations officer, also said Ojukwu was detained in connection to allegations of violating provisions of the Cybercrime Act, and other extant laws pertaining to cyber related crimes.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: FIJ’s Daniel Ojukwu Regains Freedom From Police Captivity After Protests

THE FULL STATEMENT

FIJ’S CASE: OJUKWU’S ARREST, INVESTIGATION JUSTIFIABLE UNDER THE LAW – FPRO

He Has a Case to Answer

The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses recent developments regarding the arrest and investigation of Mr. Daniel Ojukwu, reiterating that much contrary to speculative reports, Mr. Ojukwu’s investigation is in strict compliance with legal protocols and procedures. Mr. Ojukwu was lawfully apprehended and detained pursuant to a valid remand warrant issued by a competent court of justice on May 2nd 2024. His initial detention in Lagos and subsequent transfer to Abuja by the FCID-National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) aligns with standard investigative procedures undertaken by police.

The detention of Mr. Ojukwu is linked to allegations of violating provisions of the Cybercrime Act, and other extant laws pertaining to cyber related crimes. These allegations stem from a report concerning financial transactions and contract execution upon which he was petitioned to the Nigeria Police for investigations. With our preliminary forensic investigation, and recovery of some contents generated by the suspect, Mr. Ojukwu has a case to answer and as such will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

In the same vein, the Police did not deny Mr. Ojukwu bail, as it was predicated on him meeting the conditions set for the bail. He has however been released upon providing a reliable surety today Friday 10th May, 2024, pending the commencement of prosecution at the Federal High Court which has jurisdiction over cyber related crimes. It is instructive to note that his release has no correlation with the unwarranted protest held at the Police Headquarters on 9th May, 2024, but strictly due to him meeting the bail requirements and the policy of the Force on being rule of law compliant.

The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its duty to maintain law and order, uphold justice, and safeguard the rights of all citizens. We urge the public and media outlets to refrain from speculations and undue media trial in order to avoid jeopardizing the legal procedures in the case.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA
10th May, 2024

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Police Move Abducted FIJ Reporter From Cybercrime Centre to Force CID

HOW OJUKWU’S ARREST AND DETENTION VIOLATED PRESS FREEDOM

Ojukwu was abducted in Lagos by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police on Wednesday, May 1, and denied access to family, friends, colleagues and lawyers for three days.

Having found that his numbers had been switched and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family and friends, FIJ made a missing person report the following day at police stations.

However, on Friday May 3, a private detective hired by FIJ tracked the last active location of his phones to an address in Isheri Olofin, where FIJ understands was where the police abducted him.

The reporter’s family would later learn of his detention at Panti and were made to understand the authorities were accusing him of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.

Then on Sunday May 5, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the IGP moved Ojukwu to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja. They would later transfer him to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) that same day.

What led to Ojukwu’s arrest is none other than his report on how Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the former Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) to President Buhari, sent N147.1 million of government funds to an account linked to Enseno Global Ventures (Enseno GV), an Abuja-based restaurant, for the construction of a classroom.

While Nigeria’s constitution safeguards press freedom and the right to free expression, the manner in which Ojukwu was arrested for doing his job and his eventual prolonged detention are an infringement upon these rights.

Following his arrest and eventual detention, which came in the month dedicated to commemorate world press freedom, many Nigerians, including civil society organisations, journalists, activists, international bodies, began to demand his release.

READ ALSO: Influencers Tweeting #FakeNewsWriter to Turn the Tables on Abducted FIJ Reporter

Amid the relentless demands, both online and offline, for Ojukwu’s release, the police gave FIJ’s lawyers and negotiators — led by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters; Jide Oyekunle, chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Correspondent’s Chapel; and Bukky Shonibare, chairman of FIJ’s Board of Trustees — stringent bail conditions.

Even after the initial bail conditions were met on Tuesday May 7, the police still refused to release Ojukwu based on “orders from above”.

A number of civil society organisations would subsequently march to the Force Headquarters on Thursday to demand Ojukwu’s release. The FIJ reporter was eventually released on Friday.