Tinubu’s aide reports: FIJ founder Soyombo to appear in court December 1

File: FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo

The founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Fisayo Soyombo, has said he will appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 1 for arraignment over reports published by the organisation, despite that the police have yet to serve him with the criminal charge and proof of evidence.

Soyombo disclosed this in a post on X on Thursday, shortly after visiting his colleague, Daniel Ojukwu, who is being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, over the reports.

He said he decided to attend the arraignment after being briefed by the organisation’s lawyers on the proceedings at the court on Tuesday, adding that his appearance would be out of respect for the court.

“I understand that the Inspector General of Police deemed me ‘at large’ and asked for a bench warrant to arrest me and bring me to court. That won’t be necessary; I’m coming to court.

“As of this moment, I have not yet been served any criminal charge or proof of evidence, either personally or by other substituted means.

“However, after being briefed by FIJ’s lawyers on Tuesday’s court proceedings, I have decided to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 1, 2026 for my arraignment as the second defendant in the case.

“The law requires the IGP to ensure personal service of the Criminal Charge and Proof of Evidence on me; this has not been done but I will appear in court as a show of respect for the court. A truthteller has nothing to fear or any reason to run,” he wrote.

The development followed the police prosecution’s unsuccessful application for a bench warrant against Soyombo during Tuesday’s proceedings.

The prosecution had told the court that the journalist was at large and that efforts to serve him had been unsuccessful.

However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the application, ruling that a bench warrant could not be issued against Soyombo because he had not previously been brought before the court.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024, involves Soyombo and Ojukwu, who were charged with 12 counts bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

According to the charge sheet, the allegations arose from investigative reports published on FIJ’s website between November 2023 and January 2024 concerning alleged payments by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs for projects in Lagos State.

The police alleged that the publications harassed Orelope-Adefulire and placed her in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

The defendants were also accused of conspiracy and criminal defamation.

Ojukwu pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on Tuesday, after which the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application on December 1.

Meanwhile, Soyombo said Ojukwu remained cheerful during his visit to the prison but expressed concern about his colleague’s health, recalling his long-standing battle with asthma.

“I just came out of Kuje Prison where I visited my colleague @Mazi_OJD, who is currently remanded in the prison over @fijnigeria’s reports.

“Daniel was his usual ebullient self, full of smiles, unruffled and even cracking jokes. I do worry for him, though, knowing his long-running battle with asthma,” he said.

Soyombo disclosed that he was accompanied on the visit by the founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, Funke Adeoye, and the Deputy Director of Journalism at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Busola Ajibola.

He also thanked those who had supported the campaign for Ojukwu’s release, urging journalists and press freedom advocates not to relent.

“We thank everyone who has lent their voice to #FreeDanielOjukwu. The quest to protect the freedom of the press requires relentless courage in the face of fire; none of us must give up!” he added.

Ojukwu was arrested on May 1, 2024, over the same reports and detained for 10 days before his release following protests at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The latest court proceedings came more than two years after the arrest, with the police pursuing charges against the two journalists over the publications.