In a display of solidarity and discontent, hundreds of protesters, comprising journalists, activists, and leaders of civil society organizations, converged on the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday morning.
The focal point of their demonstration was the continued detention of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist affiliated with the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Led by Friday Odey, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, the protesters demanded the immediate release of Ojukwu. They decried his prolonged detention as tantamount to extrajudicial trial and punishment, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rights of Nigerian citizens.
Addressing the crowd, Odey condemned what he described as the “incessant use and abuse of the remand order process” by the Nigeria Police Force.
He asserted that such actions represent a violation of the fundamental rights of individuals and contribute to a climate of impunity.
Odey stated, “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 Nigeria 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,” he added.
Parallel Facts had reported how the Nigeria Police Force failed to release the detained journalist after 7 days despite outcry.
He was moved to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday.
Awaiting more details…
