Following widespread criticisms by Nigerians and rights organisations, the police released the detained Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter Daniel Ojukwu on Friday, nine days after his arrest.

Fisayo Soyombo, FIJ’s publisher, confirmed Mr Ojukwu’s release ro Peoples Gazette on Friday.

The police secretly arrested Mr Ojukwu and kept him behind bars on May 1 over a story exposing corruption. The police failed to charge him to court, sparking criticism of the force.

On Thursday, protesters stormed the police headquarters in Abuja to demand the release of Mr Ojukwu. 

Reacting to Mr Ojukwu’s release, Abimbola Ojenike, managing partner of Slingstone LP, FIJ’s attorneys, was quoted by the outlet as saying, “Daniel Ojukwu’s case is one of the most egregious cases of human rights violation and misuse of the powers of the police against journalists.” 

“This will not go unchallenged. There’s a significant public interest in Daniel’s human rights enforcement action that goes beyond just this violation. The constitutional right to free speech is dead if journalists can no longer expose the malfeasance in government officials without fear or oppression,” he added. 

Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and local and international media earlier condemned Mr Ojukwu’s arrest and called for his release.