The founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has been released on bail by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), on Wednesday.
Theliberationnews gathered that Soyombo’s arrest was in connection to a report he published about Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
Moreover, Soyombo, accompanied by his lawyer, Abimbola Ojenike, was released on Friday at 4:55p.m. after being questioned for about eight hours regarding the controversial article.
The investigative journalist explained that he was initially unaware of the specific allegations against him, even though Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi mentioned over 15 cases involving him and FIJ.
“I had no idea what I was being invited for,” Soyombo said. “It ended up being about the Orelope-Adefulire story. I was interrogated for about eight hours.”
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria also revealed that it played a critical role in securing Fisayo Soyombo’s release.
IPI said actively intervened in the matter, working for several hours behind the scenes to ensure that Soyombo’s rights were upheld.
After learning of his release, IPI expressed gratitude, noting that authorities had informed them of his bail.
The IPI affirms its commitment to defending press freedom and supporting journalists facing legal challenges for their work in investigative reporting.
Soyombo also revealed that his bail condition stipulates he must report to the NPF-NCCC headquarters bi-weekly.
He reflected on the ongoing challenges for journalists involved in investigative reporting in the country, particularly concerning the Orelope-Adefulire story, which has seen other FIJ staff, such as Shonibare, face intense questioning.
