The founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has announced that he will appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 1, 2026, for arraignment over investigative reports published by the organisation.
Soyombo made the announcement on Thursday after visiting his colleague, Daniel Ojukwu, who is currently being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja over the same case.
In a statement shared on his X account, the investigative journalist said he decided to attend the court proceedings after receiving a briefing from FIJ’s legal team about the developments at the court on Tuesday.
He explained that although he had not been served with the criminal charge or proof of evidence, he would appear voluntarily out of respect for the court.
Soyombo’s decision followed an unsuccessful application by the police prosecution seeking a bench warrant for his arrest. The prosecution had told the court that efforts to serve him with the court documents had been unsuccessful and described him as being at large.
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 FIJ correspondent Daniel Ojukwu, who are facing a 12-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking, criminal defamation and conspiracy.
The charges arose from investigative reports published by FIJ between November 2023 and January 2024 concerning alleged payments and project expenditures by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
One of the reports questioned an alleged payment of ₦147.1 million to a restaurant for the construction of classrooms and a skills acquisition centre at Ajeromi Primary School in Lagos. The police alleged that the publications harassed Orelope-Adefulire and placed her in fear of death, violence or bodily harm. These remain allegations before the court.
Ojukwu was arraigned on Tuesday, November 10, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following the arraignment, the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application on December 1.
His lawyer had urged the court to allow him to remain on the administrative bail previously granted by the police. However, the judge declined the request, stating that the bail application was not yet ripe for hearing.
Soyombo expressed concern about Ojukwu’s continued detention, particularly his health, noting that his colleague has a longstanding history of asthma. He also thanked journalists, human rights advocates and members of the public who had spoken out in support of Ojukwu.
The journalist maintained that he had never evaded legal proceedings and insisted that he had not been formally served with the charges. He said he was willing to appear in court and urged supporters of press freedom to remain committed to protecting journalists’ right to carry out investigative work.
The matter is expected to return to the Federal High Court on December 1, when Soyombo is scheduled to appear for arraignment and Ojukwu’s bail application is expected to be heard.
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