Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has been freed from the custody of the Nigerian Army, following a three-day detention.
Abimbola Ojenike, one of Soyombo’s lawyers, confirmed the development, stating that the journalist was released shortly after 7 p.m.
“He has just been released some minutes ago, and we are trying to find our way out of the cantonment. He is now free and has been released to his lawyers. Technically, this means that if his attention is required, his lawyers will have to produce him, but it is not a standard bail process,” Ojenike said.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which Soyombo founded, also announced the release on X (formerly Twitter), having earlier disclosed that he had been in military custody.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days. Journalism is not a crime,” the FIJ posted.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 6 Division, previously confirmed Soyombo’s arrest. In a statement, Danjuma explained that Soyombo had been apprehended at a site involved in illegal oil bunkering.
He added that the journalist, along with others detained at the scene, was under investigation to determine their level of involvement in the alleged activities.
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