Police move “abducted” FIJ reporter, Daniel Ojukwu to Abuja

The Police have confirmed that Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism(FIJ), was arrested by the national cybercrime centre in Abuja.

The NPF national cybercrime centre is the police unit established to combat cybercrimes in the country.

Ojukwu has been in custody since May 1 after he was “abducted” by police officers in Lagos.

On Sunday the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police relocated Ojukwu to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja.

Ojukwu, who was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos until Sunday, told FIJ he was relocated to the NPF-NCCC on Sunday.

Sunday was the first time the police allowed Ojukwu to make a phone call in five days. The police were yet to tell him why exactly he was arrested.

“I’m currently in Abuja; I am at the NPF-NCCC – that’s the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.

“I arrived this morning and I was taken into a cell. All I know is that I’m in Abuja. This is the first time I’ve been given my phone since Wednesday.

“They (NPF-NCCC agents) said that they were going to ask me questions. So, I’m waiting,” Ojukwu said on Sunday morning.

Giving an update to journalists on Sunday, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Spokesperson, said Ojukwu has a case to answer.

Adejobi said a petition was filed against the journalist.

“It has been confirmed that the journalist, Daniel Ojukwu, was arrested by the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre, Abuja, based on a petition filed against him.

“It’s a case of violation of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act 2015 and other extant laws of the land.

“He has a case to answer. This was confirmed to me on Sunday by the CP and head of the centre,” the force spokesperson said.

Adejobi said the force headquarters will soon address the matter “to clear the grey areas”.