Investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has announced plans to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 1, 2026, in a case involving the organisation and its journalists, Peak Newspaper reports.
Soyombo disclosed this on Thursday after visiting his colleague, Daniel Ojukwu, who is being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja over investigative reports published by FIJ.
In a post on Facebook, Soyombo said Ojukwu remained cheerful despite his detention, describing him as “his usual ebullient self, full of smiles, unruffled and even cracking jokes.”
He, however, expressed concern about Ojukwu’s health, particularly his longstanding battle with asthma.
The FIJ founder also disclosed that he would appear in court as the second defendant in the case involving the Inspector-General of Police and the two journalists.
Soyombo said he learnt that the Inspector-General of Police had described him as being “at large” and requested a bench warrant for his arrest and production in court.
He said, “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.”
The journalist maintained that he had not personally received any criminal charge or proof of evidence but had decided to attend the proceedings out of respect for the court.
He wrote, “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.”
Soyombo stressed that his decision to appear should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing, insisting that he had no reason to evade the legal process.
“A truthteller has nothing to fear or any reason to run,” he said.
He was accompanied on the visit to Kuje Correctional Centre 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).
Soyombo also appreciated individuals who had spoken out in support of Ojukwu and called for sustained efforts to protect press freedom.
Ojukwu was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre on November 10 after pleading not guilty to a 12-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
The charges reportedly relate to FIJ’s investigative reports concerning Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals.
The Federal High Court adjourned the hearing of Ojukwu’s bail application until December 1, 2026.
