Calling for a halt to the misuse of the Cybercrime Act, 2015, in targeting journalists, the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has urged the Inspector General of Police to take action.
In light of the recent arrest and ongoing detention of Mr. Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), on alleged Cybercrime Act violations by the Nigeria Police, the coalition voiced its concern.
Expressing dismay, the coalition revealed that Mr. Ojukwu’s family only discovered his whereabouts at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos, on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Describing the arrest as a violation of human rights and an attack on press freedom, the coalition demanded the immediate release of Mr. Daniel Ojukwu and emphasized the need for adherence to legal processes in addressing the issue.
Furthermore, the coalition emphasized the importance of preventing the misuse of the Cybercrime Act, stating that it has been used in the past to persecute journalists and media workers.
Highlighting the significant role of journalism in democracy, the coalition stressed that actions such as these undermine the fundamental principles of press freedom.