Investigative Journalist Fisayo Soyombo Surrenders Self to Police

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A Nigerian investigative journalist, Mr Fisayo Soyombo, has surrendered himself to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Earlier this year, Mr Soyombo, who founded the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), published an undercover report he did on smuggling in the Ogun State allegedly involving senior officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

In the report posted on YouTube and some social media platforms, a 54-year-old socialite based in the Ilaro area of Ogun State, Mr Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, fondly called IBD Dende, was alleged to be an influential smuggler.

He challenged this at the court by filing a suit against FIJ and Mr Soyombo.

Since then, the police have asked the journalist to submit himself for questioning, though he was reportedly out of the country at that time.

Giving an update on Wednesday, Mr Soyombo said he was with the police alongside his lawyer, Mr Abimbola Ojenike of Slingstone LP.

“I have just voluntarily arrived at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC) in Abuja based on publicly available information that I am wanted. I’m here with @fijnigeria lawyer @abimbolaojenike.

“If you haven’t heard from me by dawn, it means I have been detained, in which case, further updates will be provided by @fijnigeria.

“See you ‘soon’, whenever that is — today, tomorrow, next week, next month. Whenever!” he said in his public notice.