Nigeria remands journalist in cybercrime case over report
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 16 July 2026 | JP Global Monitoring
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An Abuja court ordered journalist Stanley Ugagbe held for two months after charging him and publisher Tega Oghenedoro under Nigeria's cybercrime and penal laws over a Secret Reporters investigation into a senior Central Bank executive; CPJ urged their release and critics decried the detention.Summary
ABUJA — A Nigerian court has ordered the pretrial detention of journalist Stanley Ugagbe for two months after he was charged under the country's cybercrime law and penal code over an investigative report, prompting renewed concern from international press freedom advocates.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on July 15 called on Nigerian authorities to immediately release Ugagbe, a journalist with Secret Reporters, and to drop the charges against him and the publication's publisher, Tega Oghenedoro, also known as Fejiro Oliver.
CPJ condemns detention
According to CPJ, Ugagbe was first seized by security officers from a taxi in Abuja on July 1 and held without charge at the National Cybercrime Centre until his release on July 6. When he returned to the center on July 13 to recover his phone and laptop, police detained him again before releasing him into the custody of his lawyer and directing both to appear in court the following day.
On July 14, a court in Abuja charged Ugagbe and Oliver on six counts linked to a June investigation published by Secret Reporters concerning allegations involving a senior executive at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Oliver, who is currently outside Nigeria, was listed in court documents as being "at large."
Bail delayed until September
Ugagbe pleaded not guilty and applied for bail. However, the court adjourned consideration of the application until September 21 after prosecutors requested time to respond. His lawyer, Adekunle Olanipekun, told CPJ that Ugagbe was transferred to Kuje Custodial Centre pending the hearing.
The lawyer also expressed concern that the detention could prevent Ugagbe from attending his mother's funeral scheduled for July 30. He said a fresh bail application was being prepared.
CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal criticized the prosecution, saying Nigerian authorities had already subjected Ugagbe to secret detention and were now seeking to keep him imprisoned for reporting on allegations of official corruption. She urged authorities to release Ugagbe immediately and withdraw the charges against both journalists.
Multiple criminal charges filed
The six charges include alleged cyberstalking, false publication, online harassment, damage to reputation under Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act, and two criminal defamation-related offences under the Penal Code. If convicted on all counts, the offences carry substantial prison terms and financial penalties.
CPJ said it sought comment from Nigerian police officials. National police spokesperson Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu referred inquiries to the Police Complaint Response Unit, whose representative said the matter would be reviewed. CPJ said its calls and text messages to Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu were not answered.
The case adds to continuing scrutiny of Nigeria's use of cybercrime legislation in cases involving journalists and investigative reporting. Domestic and international press freedom organizations have repeatedly expressed concern that provisions of the law may be used to pursue criminal cases over published reporting.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The case underscores the continuing legal risks facing investigative journalists reporting on allegations of official misconduct. It also highlights how cybercrime legislation can have significant implications for newsroom decision-making, source protection, and the willingness of journalists to pursue public-interest investigations.
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available statements from the Committee to Protect Journalists (July 15, 2026).
PHOTO:By Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash
Key Points
- Stanley Ugagbe was seized in Abuja and later charged under cybercrime and penal laws over a Secret Reporters investigation.
- The charges also name publisher Tega Oghenedoro, who is currently outside Nigeria and listed as at large.
- CPJ called for Ugagbe's immediate release and for the charges to be dropped.
- Ugagbe pleaded not guilty; bail consideration was adjourned until Sept. 21.
- He was transferred to Kuje Custodial Centre pending the next hearing.
Key Questions & Answers
Why was Stanley Ugagbe detained?
He was charged under Nigeria's cybercrime and penal laws over an investigative report published by Secret Reporters alleged to involve a senior Central Bank executive.
Who else is named in the court documents?
Publisher Tega Oghenedoro (also known as Fejiro Oliver) is named in the charges and is listed as being at large, currently outside Nigeria.
What has the Committee to Protect Journalists said?
CPJ called on Nigerian authorities to immediately release Ugagbe and drop the charges against him and the publication's publisher.
When will bail be considered?
The court adjourned consideration of bail until September 21, and Ugagbe was remanded to Kuje Custodial Centre pending the hearing.
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