Nigerian journalist Matthew Ojoduma cleared, released after 9+ month detention in Benin
Editor’s note: The case against Matthew Ojoduma was dropped, and he was released on November 25, 2025, after evidence did not support the allegations against him, according to court documents reviewed by CPJ. The headline of this alert has been updated to reflect his release. Abuja, November 12, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on…
Nigerian authorities detain another journalist for cybercrimes over governance reports
Abuja, November 26, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerian authorities to release journalist Friday James Alefia, who has been in detention since September on cybercrime charges, for which he could face up to three years in jail. “Nigerian authorities should swiftly drop the cybercrime charges against journalist Friday James Alefia, who has been…
3 Nigerian journalists detained on cybercrime allegations, despite reform
Abuja, November 14, 2025—At least three journalists in Nigeria have been detained since August on allegations of violating the country’s Cybercrime Act, despite last year’s reform of the law, highlighting its ongoing use to harass the media. One journalist, known under the pen name Fejiro Oliver, has been behind bars since mid-September. “Nigerian authorities appear…
4 Nigerian journalists face fresh charges over report tying bank CEO to fraud claims
Abuja, October 16, 2024–The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the continued detention of journalists Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Roland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, whose criminal charges were amended by prosecutors on October 14. “Nigerian authorities should release journalists Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Roland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, and end the deepening criminalization…
Nigeria police charge 4 journalists with cybercrimes for corruption reporting
Abuja, October 3, 2024—Despite recent reforms to Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, journalists continue to be targeted for publishing news in the public interest, with four reporters being charged under the law last month. Cybercrime laws and other regulations governing online content have been widely used to jail journalists around the world. In Nigeria, at least 29…
WikkiTimes publisher, reporter face criminal charges over reporting on alleged corruption
Abuja, September 16, 2024—Authorities in Nigeria should discontinue criminal proceedings against journalists Haruna Mohammed Salisu and Yawale Adamu, of the privately owned WikkiTimes news site, and reform laws that criminalize the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. “Nigerian journalists must be allowed to investigate allegations of corruption without fear of imprisonment,” said CPJ…
CPJ, partners call for release of slain Nigerian journalist’s body
The Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Institute, and the Media Foundation for West Africa released a joint statement on Tuesday, September 3, calling on Nigerian authorities to ensure the body of slain journalist Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi is released to his family and that those responsible for his death are identified and held to account. …
In Nigeria, at least 56 journalists attacked and harassed as protests roil region
“He hit me with a gun butt,” Premium Times newspaper reporter Yakubu Mohammed told the Committee to Protect Journalists, recalling how he was struck by a police officer while reporting on cost-of-living protests in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja on August 1. Two other officers beat him, seized his phone, and threw him in a police…
Nigerian security forces attack, arrest journalists covering protests
Abuja, August 6, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerian authorities to investigate reports that dozens of journalists were assaulted, harassed, and detained while covering cost-of-living protests, which began on August 1. CPJ is investigating multiple incidents including one in the capital Abuja on August 3, where masked security forces fired bullets and teargas…
Chained and blindfolded: Nigerian journalist Segun Olatunji recounts his detention
The arrest and detention of Segun Olatunji, the then-editor of the privately owned First News site, by Nigeria’s military in March triggered on outcry from local and international civil society, highlighting an uptick in the unlawful detention of journalists in the West African nation. Olatunji was taken from his Alagbado home in southwestern Lagos state by more…