Alleged Defamation: FIJ founder Soyombo visits detained colleague, says he’s ready to appear in court

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo says he will appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 1 December for his arraignment over reports published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), even though he has yet to be officially served with police charges.

Mr Soyombo announced this on Facebook on Thursday after visiting his colleague, Daniel Ojukwu, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he has been held since his arraignment on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a Facebook post, Mr Soyombo said he decided to appear in court after FIJ’s lawyers briefed him on the proceedings.

He stated that he had not been served with the criminal charge and proof of evidence, either personally or through substituted service, but would attend the proceedings out of respect for the court.

Mr Soyombo also noted that the Inspector-General of Police had reportedly described him as being at large and sought a bench warrant for his arrest.

“I will be in court,” he said, adding that he had no reason to run.

He described Mr Ojukwu as being in good spirits during the visit, saying he was smiling and cracking jokes despite his detention. He, however, expressed concern about his colleague’s long-running battle with asthma.

Mr Soyombo was accompanied by Funke Adeoye, founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, and Busola Ajibola, deputy director of journalism at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

Mr Ojukwu was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre on Monday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, after his arraignment on 12 counts of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.

The charges stemmed from FIJ reports on alleged irregularities involving Adeojoke Orelope-Adefulire, a presidential aide on sustainable development goals and former Lagos State deputy governor.

Mr Ojukwu pleaded guilty to the 12 counts. Justice Abdulmalik ordered his remand for 21 days in the first instance after ruling that his bail application was not ripe for hearing. The application was adjourned until 1 December.

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) have condemned his detention and called for the withdrawal of the charges.

In separate statements, the organisations questioned the use of criminal laws against journalists reporting on public spending and government activities.

CPJ’s Africa director, Angela Quintal, called on Nigerian authorities to drop the charges against both Mr Ojukwu and Mr Soyombo and repeal laws that criminalise journalism.

The CWPPF also questioned why Mr Ojukwu should remain in custody until December before his bail application is heard. It argued that the offences are bailable and that his continued detention raises concerns about the constitutional presumption of innocence.

The coalition cited Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which recognise the press’s responsibility to hold government accountable and guarantee freedom of expression.

Mr Ojukwu was previously arrested in May 2024 over FIJ reports concerning the same government office. He spent 10 days in police custody before his release on 10 May following public pressure.

The current prosecution relates to four FIJ investigations published between November 2023 and January 2024. The reports examined alleged irregularities in government contracts and expenditure under the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr Soyombo thanked those who had spoken out against his colleague’s detention and urged them to continue defending press freedom.

“The quest to protect the freedom of the press requires relentless courage in the face of fire; none of us must give up!” he said.