The Nigerian Army has released investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo.
One of Soyombo’s lawyers, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed that he was released shortly after 7 p.m.
His release was facilitated by the leadership of International Press Instutute [IPI].
The president of the Institute, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, THE CONCLAVE learnt, led the consultation that culminated in Soyombo’s release by the Army.
“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 explained.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that Soyombo had been in Army custody for the past three days.
“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,” FIJ wrote.
Earlier, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, had confirmed Soyombo’s arrest.
In a statement on Friday, Danjuma said Soyombo was apprehended at an illegal oil bunkering site.
He noted that Soyombo, along with other suspects arrested at the site, was undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their level of involvement in the alleged crime
