Last week, Nigerian journalist Daniel Ojukwu was arrested in Lagos, triggering concerns about declining press freedoms in Nigeria. Nigeria ranks low in press freedom.
A Nigerian journalist’s arrest last week has triggered criticism of worsening press freedoms in the West African country. Daniel Ojukwu with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism went missing last Wednesday in the economic hub of Lagos. His family and employer found out on Friday that he was detained and held in a police station for allegedly violating the country’s Cybercrime Act, often criticized as a tool for censorship.
Nigeria is ranked 112th out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. It is known for the country's tough environment for journalists who face frequent abductions, arrests and prosecution, usually after reporting on chronic corruption and bad governance plaguing the oil-rich country. At least 25 journalists have been prosecuted under the country’s Cybercrime Act since it was introduced in 2015, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Nigeria's law requires a suspect to be charged or released within 48 hours following arrest. Ojukwu, however, was not allowed any means of communication or access to a lawyer until his third day in custody, said Oke Ridwan, a human rights lawyer who met with the journalist at the police station where he was held. Nigeria's Minister of Information Mohammed Idris Malagi told The Associated Press that he is making efforts to resolve the case and is 'on top of the issue.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigerian journalist's arrest last week triggers criticism of worsening press freedomsA Nigerian journalist’s arrest last week has triggered criticism of worsening press freedoms in the West African country. Daniel Ojukwu with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism went missing last Wednesday in the economic hub of Lagos.
Read more »
Nigerian journalist's arrest last week triggers criticism of worsening press freedomsA Nigerian journalist’s arrest last week has triggered criticism of worsening press freedoms in the West African country
Read more »
Average EV Prices Up Slightly Last Month But Still 10% Lower Than Last YearDespite a growth slump in Q1, Kelley Blue Book predicts 2024 to be the best year ever for EV sales, with more models and more inventory coming.
Read more »
TMNT's Last Surviving Turtle Gets Genius Redesign in Last Ronin FanartThe Last Ronin stares down angrily in a rain soaked city in the TMNT: The Last Ronin comics
Read more »
Nigerian presidential adviser falsely claims Nigeria is safer than the USThe Global Terrorism Index ranks Nigeria eighth among the ten countries most impacted by terrorism, while, according to the Global Organized Crime Index, Nigeria has the world’s sixth highest criminality rate, far worse than the U.S., which is ranked 67th.
Read more »
US Ally Detects China Spy Ship Near CoastThe Chinese intelligence ship was last seen entering the East China Sea last week.
Read more »