The arrest of a Nigerian journalist last week has sparked criticism of declining press freedom in the West African country.
Daniel Ojukwu of the Investigative Journalism Foundation went missing in the economic center last Wednesday lagos, His family and employer learned on Friday that he had been detained and held at a police station on charges of violating the country’s cybercrime act, which is often criticized as a tool of censorship.
The arrest of Ojukwu, who was later transferred to the Nigerian capital abujaIt follows his report about alleged financial mismanagement of more than 147 million naira ($104,600) involving a senior government official, according to his employer, the foundation.
Nigeria ranks 112th out of 180 countries in latest World Press Freedom Index Reporters Without Borders, It is known for the country’s difficult environment for journalists, who often face kidnapping, arrest, and prosecution after reporting on the widespread corruption and poor governance in the oil-rich country.
At least 25 journalists have been prosecuted under the country’s cybercrime act since its implementation in 2015, according to the . Committee to Protect Journalists, These include eight people detained under President Bola Tinubu, whose government, in power since May last year, presents itself as one that encourages freedom of the press – a claim World Press Freedom claimed last week. Was repeated during the day’s events.
Amnesty International’s Nigeria office said the Cybercrime Act was amended this year to remove some harsh provisions, but police still use it to “silence journalists and critics”.
Nigerian law requires a suspect to be charged or released within 48 hours of arrest. However, Ojukwu was not allowed any means of communication or access to a lawyer until his third day in detention, said Oke Ridwan, a human rights lawyer who met the journalist at the police station where he was being held.
Nigeria’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi told The Associated Press that he was making efforts to resolve the matter and was “on top of the issue.” Local and international civil society groups have condemned the detentions.
A coalition of at least 30 civil society groups, known as the Action Group on Protection of Civic Actors, said in a statement, “This is symptomatic of a larger problem within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, and political “His relationship with politically exposed individuals is undermining democratic principles.” on Monday.
It said, “The Nigerian Police Force has abdicated from its duty of maintaining law and order to become a repressive tool in suppressing dissent and independent journalism.”