Nigerian Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba Rejects ‘Forced’ Police Apology Letter, Laments Detention, Torture And Harassment
Lagos-based journalist and Media Room Hub publisher Azuka Ogujiuba has publicly rejected an apology letter she says was forced upon her by the Nigerian police.
She described her detention as harrowing, involving intimidation, harassment, and torture, raising concerns about press freedom and journalists’ safety in Nigeria.
Ogujiuba, a former ThisDay journalist, has reportedly been summoned multiple times to Abuja over her coverage of a court case, despite being innocent of any wrongdoing.
Her experience has drawn condemnation from the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), which warned that such treatment undermines democracy and press freedom.
Azuka explained her ordeal, saying, “I am denouncing this apology letter because I was tortured, traumatized, harassed and intimidated by Moses Jolugbo and Ify Ogoli to write this fake apology.
“If the Nigeria Police ever invite you call the world and everyone you know before honoring their invitation, their invitations are always a death trap.”
In the statement, she highlighted the extreme conditions of her detention, revealing, “How I survived in detention for 3 days without food is what I still can’t explain. They snatched my phone so I don’t call or reach out to anyone.
“Nobody knew where I was, what if the Adewale Oladapo aka Biggie their pay master had asked them to kill my enemy???” This account underscores the psychological and physical pressure she endured while in custody.”
Azuka also addressed the basis of the coerced apology, stating, “And the painful part of it is that I was innocent of what they accused me of. I didn’t understand all the accusation of cyber bullying over the advertorial publication of a court document that was authorized by the court for publication???
“Over 10 media organization including Arise TV, TVC, Channels TV, Vanguard newspaper etc published the same court papers but Olawale Oladapo aka Biggie and the Nigerian Police picked me as the scapegoat to write this fake letter of apology.
“They accused me of Cyber bullying and defamation of character and I don’t understand this up till now, it is not even a criminal case so why violate my freedom???”
Her comments raise questions about police procedures and accountability, as she further said, “Is the Nigerian Police not supposed to be objective when a petition is brought to their office??? Why have they turned the police offices to a business center where only the highest monetary bidder wins? What a shame!!”
The controversy follows Media Room Hub’s story about Messrs Ikenna Jideofor and Adewale Oladapo.
Azuka lamented that she was coerced into writing an apology letter in which she admitted that her report contained “unfounded and inaccurate claims” and expressed regret for any “unjustified reputational damage” it may have caused.
IPI Nigeria earlier condemned the arrest and harassment of Ogujiuba, calling it “blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist for performing her lawful duties.”
The organisation urged Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to immediately halt intimidation and ensure that any allegations are addressed through lawful procedures.
In its statement, IPI Nigeria emphasised, “If the police believe she has committed an offence, the appropriate step is to charge her before a competent court of law — not to subject her to endless intimidation.”
The institute reaffirmed its solidarity with Ogujiuba and emphasized that journalists must be able to report freely without fear of reprisals, highlighting that press freedom is crucial to public trust and democracy.
