A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), at the Kuje Correctional Centre over reports concerning a former presidential aide, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Ojukwu was remanded on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to a 12-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation. The charges were filed against him and FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, over investigative reports published between 2023 and 2024.
The court declined to entertain Ojukwu’s bail application, explaining that it had only been filed on Monday and was not yet ready for hearing. His lawyer had also requested that he be allowed to continue on administrative bail, arguing that he had complied with all the conditions attached to his earlier release. The request was, however, rejected.
The judge subsequently ordered that Ojukwu remain in custody pending the hearing of his bail application, which was adjourned until December 1, 2026.
The prosecution also sought a bench warrant for Soyombo, the second defendant, who was said to be at large. The court declined the request, stating that the FIJ founder had never appeared before it and could not be compelled to attend through such an order.
The case stems from Ojukwu’s arrest on May 1, 2024, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team in Lagos. He was subsequently transferred to Abuja, where he was detained at different police facilities before his release on May 10, 2024, following widespread public criticism and intervention by rights organisations.
Despite his release, the police reportedly retained his international passport and required him to report periodically to the National Cybercrime Centre as investigations continued.
The 12-count charge, dated September 19, 2024, was brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.
Prosecutors allege that the publications exposed Orelope-Adefulire, who served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to fear of death, violence or bodily harm.
The reports under scrutiny questioned the expenditure and execution of projects funded by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, including classroom construction and the installation of solar panels at Ajeromi Primary School in Lagos.
One of the investigations alleged that N147.1 million was paid to a restaurant for classroom construction shortly before the end of Buhari’s administration. Another questioned a N47.5 million contract reportedly awarded following a request by former Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun.
FIJ also published reports alleging irregularities in the execution of the projects, claiming that a visit to Ajeromi Primary School in October 2023 revealed poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing and no visible evidence of the reported construction. It further alleged that a mosque occupied the location where the school project was expected to be executed.
The matter has been adjourned until December 1 for the hearing of Ojukwu’s bail application.