By HEADLINENEWS.NEWS correspondent
Nigerian journalists and members of some Civil Society Organisation (CSOs), on Thursday, assembled at the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja to protest the continuous detention of a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu.
The protesters arrived at the Force Headquarters along Shehu Shagari Way at around 9 a.m., chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, demanding the unconditional release of Mr Ojukwu who has been in police detention for more than a week.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards were “Free Daniel Ojukwu”, “Journalism is not a crime”, “Protect Human Rights”, “Respect Freedom of Expression” and “Nigeria Police, Stop Impunity.”
The protesters were led by the Chairperson of FIJ Board of Trustees, Bukky Shonibare; Human Rights Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and Human Rights Lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
Police officers gathered to ensure that the protest was orderly and peaceful.
Protesters present demands
Speaking at the scene, Ms Shonibare, who read out a statement jointly signed by some CSOs and media organisations in Nigeria, said the protest was organised to demand the unconditional release of Mr Ojukwu, who was arrested and detained for carrying out his constitutional duties as a journalist.
Ms Shonibare noted that Mr Ojukwu’s arrest was unlawful, unconstitutional, immoral and should not happen in any democratic society
She expressed concern about the escalating attacks on press freedom, which she said is shrinking the Nigerian civic space.
Ms Shonibare emphasised the critical role of a free press and public participation in upholding democracy.
The CSOs denounced the silencing of journalists and civic actors who hold power accountable, citing violations of constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
“The mischievous interpretation and hyper-application of laws, especially the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 which has now been amended, and the abuse of power and public institutions are all draconian tactics deployed to further shrink Nigeria’s fragile civic space. These tactics have no place in a democracy, where accountability and transparency in governance are essential,” part of the statement said.
The CSOs accused state actors of “mischievous interpretation and hyper-application” of the Cybercrimes Act which has been described as the latest tool to gag the media.
They threatened to sustain the protest until Mr Ojukwu is released.
The statement was signed by Enough is Enough Nigeria; Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO); Invictus Africa; Accountability Lab Nigeria; Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC); Global Rights; International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR); and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Others are Dataphyte; Gatefield; BudgIT Foundation; WikkiTimes; Hope Behind Bars Africa; Partners West Africa; Media Rights Agenda; International Press Centre; TheCable; Premium Times; Digicivic Initiative; the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and BONews Service,
The Human Rights Journalism Network Nigeria (HRJN) and Kebetkache Women Development & Research Centre also endorsed the statement.
[Photo credit: Ademola Popoola Premium Times]
Held despite meeting bail conditions
Also speaking, Mr Sowore said the police have continued to detain Mr Ojukwu despite the journalist meeting his bail conditions.
