Protesters storm Police HQ, demand release of journalist Ojukwu

Hundreds of protesters including journalists, activists, leaders of Civil Society Organisations, and advocates of free press on Thursday stormed Police Headquarters, Abuja, to demand the release of a journalist with the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu.

The visibly furious protesters, led by the country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odey, demanded immediate and unconditional release of Ojukwu, saying his continued detention is equivalent to an extrajudicial trial and punishment.

“We also condemn the incessant use and abuse of the remand order process, which is observed to be the new machinery for which the Nigeria Police continuously violates the rights of Nigerian citizens,” Odey said.

“It is discovered that the Police boast of obtaining a remand order without providing such a document for the suspect or his lawyers to see whenever they unlawfully arrest individuals,” the activist berated the federal government.”

The protesters said the Nigeria Police Force failed to release the detained journalist after 7 days despite public outcry nationwide.

He was moved to Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday.

Details later.