A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter Daniel Ojukwu at the Kuje Correctional Centre over investigative reports exposing alleged irregularities in government contracts.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to 12 charges involving alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
The charges relate to reports published 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 court adjourned proceedings until December 1, 2026, when it will hear the journalist’s bail application.
The development has attracted criticism from press freedom organisations, which argue that prosecuting journalists over investigations into public expenditure could discourage accountability reporting in Nigeria.
Why Was Daniel Ojukwu Remanded?
The case was instituted by the Nigeria Police Force against Ojukwu and FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo.
According to court documents, the defendants face 12 charges connected to reports published on FIJ’s website about government spending and contracts awarded by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
Prosecutors alleged that the reports amounted to cyberstalking and caused Orelope-Adefulire to fear threats of death, violence or bodily harm.
The charges include alleged violations of Sections 24 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
Ojukwu denied the allegations when the charges were read to him in court.
Following his plea, the prosecution requested that the journalist be remanded pending further proceedings.
His lawyer, Atanda Kayode, opposed the application, arguing that Ojukwu had previously been granted administrative bail by the police and had complied with its conditions.
The defence also informed the court that a fresh bail application had been filed.
However, Justice Abdulmalik declined to consider the application immediately because it was not yet ready for hearing.
The judge subsequently ordered Ojukwu’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre until December 1.
What Did FIJ’s Corruption Reports Reveal?
The criminal case originated from investigations into public contracts awarded during the final months of Buhari’s administration.
In November 2023, FIJ published findings questioning a ₦147.1 million payment connected to classroom construction and a skills acquisition project.
The investigation identified Enseno Global Ventures, an Abuja-based business linked to restaurant operations, as a recipient of government payments for construction-related work.
FIJ questioned the company’s suitability for the contracts and raised concerns about project implementation and spending.
A subsequent investigation examined wider government payments to the company, reporting that it had received contracts worth approximately ₦367.46 million.
Another report questioned a ₦47.5 million contract associated with the SDGs office and a project allegedly awarded following a request linked to former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The publications raised questions about contractor selection, procurement procedures and whether the projects delivered value for public funds.
However, the findings remain allegations contained in FIJ’s investigations and should not be interpreted as a court determination that corruption occurred.
The prosecution’s case centres on whether the publications violated cybercrime laws, rather than a judicial finding on the underlying contract allegations.
Police Seek Warrant Against FIJ Founder
During the proceedings, prosecutors also asked the court to issue a bench warrant against FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo, who was named as the second defendant.
The prosecution informed the court that Soyombo was at large and requested an order compelling his appearance.
However, Justice Abdulmalik rejected the application.
The judge ruled that issuing a bench warrant would be inappropriate because Soyombo had not previously been brought before the court.
The decision means the request for his arrest was not granted during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Ojukwu Was Previously Detained in 2024
The latest court proceedings come more than two years after Ojukwu’s earlier detention over the same investigative reports.
On May 1, 2024, police officers arrested the journalist in Lagos.
According to FIJ, his family and colleagues initially struggled to establish his whereabouts before learning that he was being held by the police.
He was subsequently transferred from Lagos to Abuja, where he remained in custody.
His detention generated widespread criticism from journalists, civil society organisations and human rights campaigners.
Following public pressure and protests demanding his release, Ojukwu regained his freedom on May 10, 2024.
FIJ maintained that his detention was connected to investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving the SDGs office.
After his release, the journalist reportedly continued complying with police administrative requirements.
His lawyers therefore questioned the need to remand him again, particularly because he had not been accused of violating his earlier bail conditions.
SERAP Demands Journalist’s Release
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned Ojukwu’s remand and demanded his immediate release.
The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi to intervene.
SERAP also urged the Federal Government to end the prosecution of Ojukwu and Soyombo over investigative reports concerning the management of public funds.
The organisation argued that criminal proceedings against journalists for reporting on suspected corruption could undermine press freedom and discourage investigations into government expenditure.
It maintained that journalists should be able to scrutinise public institutions and raise questions about the use of taxpayers’ money without facing intimidation.
Amnesty International Raises Press Freedom Concerns
Amnesty International has also criticised the detention, warning that the prosecution raises serious questions about freedom of expression in Nigeria.
The human rights organisation expressed concern that judicial processes could be used to intimidate journalists performing their professional responsibilities.
The case has renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s cybercrime legislation, which press freedom advocates have repeatedly criticised over its application to journalism.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 29 journalists had faced prosecution under Nigeria’s cybercrime law since its introduction in 2015, as of October 2024.
The Associated Press also reported that Nigeria ranked 112th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
These concerns have intensified calls for stronger legal protections for journalists investigating public officials and government spending.
What Happens Next in Ojukwu’s Case?
Ojukwu is expected to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until December 1, 2026, when the Federal High Court is scheduled to hear his bail application.
The hearing will determine whether he can regain his freedom while the criminal proceedings continue.
His not-guilty plea remains on record, and the court has not convicted him of any offence.
Beyond the immediate bail hearing, the case raises broader questions about the relationship between investigative journalism, public accountability and the enforcement of cybercrime legislation.
As journalists and rights organisations continue demanding his release, the proceedings are likely to remain a major test of press freedom and legal protections for investigative reporting in Nigeria.
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