Court Remands FIJ Journalist Daniel Ojukwu in Kuje Prison Over Cyberstalking Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Daniel Ojukwu, a correspondent with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), at the Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation arising from investigative reports on a former presidential aide.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force.

The court fixed December 1, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application, leaving the journalist in custody pending the determination of the application.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024, also names Fisayo Soyombo, founder of FIJ, as a second defendant.

The charges relate to investigative reports published on the FIJ website between November 2023 and January 2024 concerning Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The police accused Ojukwu and Soyombo of conspiring to commit cyberstalking and criminal defamation through the publications, alleging that the reports were intended to harass Orelope-Adefulire and placed her in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

One of the reports cited in the charge was published on November 7, 2023, and investigated an alleged N147.1 million payment by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs to Enseno Global Ventures Limited for the construction of classrooms and a skills acquisition centre in Lagos.

FIJ’s investigation reportedly raised questions about the contractor’s credentials, its registered business address and the state of the proposed project.

Another publication examined an alleged N47.5 million classroom construction contract awarded to Tru3 Nigeria Limited, while other reports investigated the forfeiture of N241 million linked to the SDGs office and the reported failure of solar panels installed at classroom blocks shortly after their completion.

The prosecution maintained that the publications constituted offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024, and relevant provisions of the Criminal Code.

However, Ojukwu denied all the allegations, pleading not guilty to the 12 counts when they were read to him.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution, led by Kunle Lawal, informed the court that Soyombo was at large and requested a bench warrant for his arrest.

Justice Abdulmalik declined the application, explaining that the court could not issue a bench warrant against the second defendant because he had not previously been brought before it.

Following Ojukwu’s plea, the prosecution applied for his remand in custody.

His defence counsel, Atanda Kayode, opposed the request, drawing the court’s attention to a bail application already filed on behalf of the journalist.

The defence also urged the court to allow Ojukwu to continue enjoying the administrative bail previously granted to him by the police, arguing that he had not breached any of its conditions.

However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the request, observing that the charges had been served on the defendant long before the bail application was filed on Monday, November 9.

The judge consequently ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until December 1 for the hearing of the bail application.

Previous Arrest And Detention

The latest development comes more than two years after Ojukwu was arrested and detained by police operatives over the same investigative reports.

The journalist was reportedly arrested in Lagos on May 1, 2024, by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force.

He was initially taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Lagos, before being transferred to Abuja, where he was held at the National Cybercrime Centre.

His detention lasted 10 days and generated widespread condemnation from media organisations, human rights advocates and civil society groups.

Ojukwu was eventually released on May 10, 2024, following public protests and pressure from rights advocates.

The police subsequently retained his international passport, reportedly citing concerns that he might leave the country.

The case has continued to attract attention because of concerns about the use of cybercrime and criminal defamation provisions in prosecuting journalists over investigative reports involving public officials and the management of public funds.

Ojukwu’s remand now places the spotlight on the pending bail proceedings and the substantive criminal case, which is expected to determine the allegations against the journalist and his co-defendant.