A coalition of press freedom and human rights organisations has condemned the arrest and detention of journalist and media activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike by the Nigeria Police Force, calling for his immediate release and respect for due process.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the groups— including the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding (Kaduna), Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), and several others— described Akuwudike’s arrest as arbitrary and politically motivated.

Akuwudike was reportedly arrested at around 3 a.m. on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State, shortly after an interview he gave on the Adeola Fayehun YouTube channel went viral.

In the interview, he alleged that he was paid ₦2.5 million by Sandra Duru (aka Prof Mgbeke) to produce defamatory content against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. He also implicated Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the political and financial sponsor behind the alleged smear campaign.

“His arrest, occurring in the dead of night and without any clear charge or recourse to legal counsel, raises deep concerns about political interference, suppression of press freedom, and the violation of constitutional rights guaranteed under Sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” the coalition said.

“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of intimidation and criminalization of journalists and whistleblowers who dare to expose high-level corruption and political misconduct.”

“The fact that this arrest follows closely on the heels of explosive revelations implicating senior government officials lends credence to fears that the police are being used as a tool of political persecution,” it added.

The coalition criticised the police for detaining Akuwudike without clear charges and denying him access to legal counsel, calling the move a violation of his constitutional rights under Sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The groups warned that the arrest fits into a worrying pattern of intimidation and criminalisation of journalists and whistleblowers exposing corruption and political misconduct.

They demanded Akuwudike’s “immediate and unconditional release of Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, or a prompt arraignment before a competent court of law if any legitimate charges exist”.

They also called for respect for his rights to legal representation and family access, along with a “transparent and independent investigation into the claims made by Akuwudike concerning the alleged smear campaign and the involvement of high-ranking officials”.

The coalition further urged the Nigeria Police Force and Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun to uphold the rule of law and refrain from using law enforcement as a tool to silence dissenting voices.

The statement concluded with a call on civil society, media organisations, and the international community to remain vigilant and speak out in defence of press freedom and democratic accountability in Nigeria.