Nigerian Journalist Jailed on Terror Charges in Benin Since January

The Committee for the Protection of Journalists urges the government of Benin to free Nigerian travel journalist Mathew Ojoduma, who works o...

The Committee for the Protection of Journalists urges the government of Benin to free Nigerian travel journalist Mathew Ojoduma, who works on YouTube and has been held on terrorism allegations since January 29.

Beninese authorities detained Ojoduma, the creator of the Africa Views channel that focuses on African urban areas, as he was entering Burkina Faso from Benin's northern border in the town of Porga, carrying a camera, drone, and laptop, as reported by his wife, Priscilla Mathew, in conversations with CPJ, along with court records examined by CPJ.

Authorities in Benin should immediately free journalist Mathew Ojoduma, who has already spent nine months in prison on false terrorism charges," said CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal. "The Nigerian government must also take action to ensure proper treatment of its citizen, instead of remaining silent amid this serious violation of press freedom.

On February 13, Ojoduma faced charges related to being part of a terrorist group, with his case considered on May 19, as stated in a ruling published that day by the Special Court for Combating Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET), which was examined by CPJ, along with Ojoduma's attorney, who chose not to reveal their identity due to concerns about retaliation.

The ruling stated that Ojoduma was "suspected of having ties with terrorist organizations" — a claim he rejected — due to his "relentless" decision to travel through Porga, "in light of the ongoing security risks" in the area. The court passed the case on to the Public Prosecutor's Office since its criminal aspect was outside its jurisdiction.

Northern Benin has faced a rise in violent extremist attacks since 2021, with Islamic State-affiliated militants seizing large areas of adjacent Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as further afield in Mali. Mathew mentioned that her husband planned to journey through Burkina Faso to Mali and Senegal for a reporting assignment.

On July 2, CRIET mandated that Ojoduma remain in pre-trial detention, as stated in a court order reviewed by CPJ. Mathew informed CPJ that her husband was being detained at a prison located in the southern city of Cotonou.

The attorney mentioned to CPJ that he submitted an appeal to CRIET, but the decision upheld its May 19 ruling stating the court lacked authority over the case.

He mentioned that CRIET informed him that the authorities' examination of Ojoduma's "phones and the hard drive did not uncover any information related to terrorist activities in this case," but he could not provide a copy of the court document due to procedural constraints.

The attorney stated that the court's examination of Ojoduma's computer indicated he was a media expert specializing in travel and environmental issues, with a focus on local politics.

The Secretary of the Lagos State Nigerian Bar Association, Ayodeji Olabiwonnu, stated that Ojoduma's family sought assistance in promoting Ojoduma's case, and the association sent letters to Nigeria's Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission requesting intervention, but did not receive any responses.

CPJ's attempts to seek comments through phone calls, messaging applications, and emails to Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, and the Attorney General's office remained unanswered.

The emails and phone calls made by CPJ seeking input from Benin's Ministry of Justice, CRIET, police representative Éric Orou Yérima, and government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji remained without a response.

Copyright 2025 Journalists' Protection Committee. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (okay1).

Tagged: Nigeria, Press and Media, Benin, Legal and Judicial Affairs, West Africa

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