Barely 24 hours after dozens of placard-carrying protesters stormed police headquarters to demand his release, a reporter with the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu, has regained his freedom.
A police officer and a member of staff with Daniel’s organisation confirmed the development to The Guardian, yesterday. The Guardian had reported how Ojukwu was allegedly abducted on May 1 by police officers.
Hundreds of protesters including journalists, activists, leaders of Civil Society Organisations and lovers of freedom had on Thursday morning stormed Police High Command Headquarters, Abuja, to protest against continued detention of 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 violate the rights of citizens.
“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 media had been awash on how the Nigeria Police Force failed to release the detained journalist after seven days despite public outcry nationwide.
He was then moved to Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday.
