Fisayo Soyombo to Face Court on December 1 Over Charges

Fisayo Soyombo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), announced his intention to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 1 for his arraignment. This follows the police's unsuccessful attempt to issue a bench warrant against him, claiming he was "at large." Soyombo stated he had not received any criminal charges or evidence against him but would attend court out of respect.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/486/2024, involves charges against Soyombo and colleague Daniel Ojukwu, including 12 counts of cyberstalking and criminal defamation of Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals. The allegations stem from investigative reports published by FIJ between November 2023 and January 2024, which reportedly harassed Orelope-Adefulire.

Ojukwu has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending a bail hearing on December 1.