PRESS RELEASE
(Nairobi, 12th November, 2026) - The West Africa Editors Society (WAES) has learned with deep concern the incarceration of journalist Daniel Ojukwu over his reporting. On November 10, 2026, a federal court in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, remanded Ojukwu, a correspondent with the privately owned Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), to the Kuje Custodial Centre until December 1 on cybercrime and criminal defamation charges.
According to news reports Ojukwu, who traveled to the hearing from the southwestern Lagos state, pleaded not guilty to the 12 counts brought against him. WAES also understands that the founder of FIJ, Fisayo Soyombo, who faces the same charges, was not in court but is expected at the next hearing.
It is disturbing that Nigeria, the country with a history of remarkable journalism, press freedom and good governance has descended into this trend of punishing journalists who are only doing their work.
WAES is calling on the authorities to respect the rule of law, respect the rights of journalists to do their work of holding public officials to account. Journalism, had in the past and even today brought honour to Nigeria and the actions of a few officials should not bring the country to disrepute.
We are therefore calling on the authorities to immediately drop all charges against Ojukwu and release him from custody, because journalism is not a crime.
WAES