ABUJA — Three Nigerian journalists have been detained since August on cybercrime allegations, raising concerns about press freedom ahead of the country’s 2027 elections despite reforms to the controversial law last year, according to Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Investigative journalist Fejiro Oliver, whose real name is Tega Oghenedoro, has remained behind bars since mid-September after being arrested at his Abuja office and flown to Delta State. The publisher of Secret Reporters faces charges of cyberbullying and cyberstalking for Facebook posts critical of Delta State Governor Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori and Central Senator Ede Dafinone Omueya. Oliver was granted bail on October 16 with a bond set at 15 million naira (approximately $10,430) and two sureties, conditions he has been unable to meet. Authorities filed additional defamation charges against him on October 17.
“Nigerian authorities appear stuck in an era where they see the Cybercrime Act as a readily available tool to harass the press, which is particularly concerning as citizens look to inform themselves ahead of national elections in early 2027,” said Angela Quintal, Africa Director for the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Azuka Francisca Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, was arrested twice in August in Abuja for publishing a court injunction related to a disputed land sale. She was held for five hours the first time and three days the second time. Police retained her phone for five days before releasing her after she removed the article and wrote an apology.
Sodeeq Atanda, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was detained for 11 hours on September 9 in Ekiti State on allegations including cyberbullying and criminal defamation. The detention followed complaints from a university vice-chancellor over stories alleging sexual harassment.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed cybercrime amendments into law in February 2024, narrowing Section 24 to focus on pornographic content and communications “known to be false for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order.” However, the reforms maintained penalties of up to three years in prison and left journalists vulnerable to arrest.
CPJ research shows at least 25 journalists faced prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act before the 2024 reforms. Since the amendments, five journalists have been prosecuted for cybercrime, including Oliver and four others who spent nearly six months in jail before being freed in an out-of-court settlement. Between March and May 2024, five additional journalists were harassed without formal charges, including Segun Olatunji, who was detained for two weeks, blindfolded and chained after publishing allegations of military corruption. The Foundation for Investigative Journalism has faced repeated targeting, with reporter Daniel Ojukwu assaulted by police in August and founder Fisayo Soyombo going into hiding after publishing a smuggling investigation.
CPJ documented at least five cases of journalists being detained and charged with cybercrimes in connection to their work in the year before the 2023 elections, indicating an escalating pattern as the 2027 elections approach. Quintal called on authorities to “repeal or reform sections of the Cybercrimes Act, and of the penal and criminal codes, that are regularly used to jail journalists.”
