Admin
- September 26, 2025
Abuja, Nigeria – Thursday, September 11, 2025 – DigiCivic Initiative, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation committed to advancing Digital Rights, Privacy Rights, and Freedom of Speech and Information, strongly condemns the reported unlawful detention of journalist and Media Room Hub founder, Ms. Azuka Ogujiuba, at the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
According to reports, Ms. Ogujiuba was detained for three days without access to food, family, or legal counsel, following a petition over the publication of a court injunction on her verified Instagram page. Despite her clear explanation that the content was a duly issued court-approved document and widely published by several media outlets she was allegedly harassed, unlawfully arrested, and subjected to inhumane treatment by police officers.
This unlawful detention constitutes a blatant breach of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees fundamental freedoms, including:
- •Section 35(1): Right to personal liberty, which prohibits unlawful arrest or detention.
- Section 36(1): Right to fair hearing, which includes access to counsel.
- Section 39(1): Right to freedom of expression and the press.
- Section 34(1): Right to dignity of the human person, which forbids inhuman or degrading treatment.
Furthermore, this incident undermines the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, which reinforces digital rights and lawful processing of information Section 30 (1) (d)-(i) ensures fairness, transparency, and accountability in data-related activities.
Beyond Nigeria’s domestic framework, these violations are inconsistent with Nigeria’s international obligations under:
- The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Article 9: Right to receive and disseminate information, Article 6: Right to liberty).
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (Article 19: Freedom of expression, Article 9: Protection from arbitrary detention).
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 19: Freedom of opinion and expression, Article 5: Protection against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment).
As an organisation that advocates for responsible use of authority in the digital space, DigiCivic Initiative calls on the lawyers within the Nigeria Police Force particularly those in advisory and prosecutorial roles to ensure that the principles of equity, justice, and the rule of law guide all police actions.
DigiCivic Initiative demands that:
- The Nigeria Police Force immediately investigate and sanction officers involved in the unlawful detention of Ms. Ogujiuba.
- The IGP’s office issues a public clarification reaffirming its commitment to protecting journalists, human rights defenders, and all citizens.
- Proper sensitisation and retraining be conducted within the Force to align police practice with constitutional and international human rights standards.
- Journalists and digital publishers are allowed to carry out their professional duties without fear of harassment or arbitrary detention.
DigiCivic Initiative remains steadfast in its mission to protect digital and civic spaces in Nigeria. We will continue to engage stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to ensure that fundamental freedoms, freedom of speech, access to information, privacy, and digital expression are preserved in a democratic society.
Signed
Mojirayo Ogunlana
Executive Director, Digicivic Initiative
