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Detained Journalist: SERAP Blows Hot, Threatens Legal Action

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Buhari to instruct the Nigerian Police to immediately release Fisayo Soyombo, an Investigative journalist, detained over story on high-level police corruption.

Soyombo had on November 23, 2021, received a text message from the security agency.

“This office is conducting an investigation in which your name and phone number featured, in view of this, you are to interview the Head, IGP Monitoring Unit on the 29th November 2021 by 1000hrs at 1st Floor, Force Hqtrs,” it read.

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The journalist honoured the invitation on Monday and discovered it was in connection to a story on the award of contracts for police camps.

The transit police accommodations are located in Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, Katsina and Kano States.

FIJ had reported how, in his former role as CP Budget and Finance, Joseph Egbunike, (now DIG), allegedly joined other senior cops to approve more than N1 billion for the projects.

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Egbunike headed the police panel that investigated ex-IRT head, Abba Kyari, after an FBI indictment for alleged fraud and conspiracy.

When FIJ visited the project locations, nothing or little had been done after three years of approval.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Police Detain Journalist Over Story Exposing Corruption

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At the N245 million transit camp in Riyom, Plateau State, two uncompleted bungalows and a few mobile buildings on an expanse of land were found, he revealed.

But SERAP, in a swift reaction to the journalist’s arrest via its verified Twitter handle, said journalism is not a crime hence Soyombo should be released with immediate effect.

While threatening appropriate legal action if he’s not immediately released, the rights and accountability project Twitted “Nigeria: Release journalist Soyombo immediately.
Nigeria: Release journalist Soyombo immediately.
Nigeria: Release journalist Soyombo immediately.
Nigeria: Release journalist Soyombo immediately.
Nigeria: Release journalist Soyombo immediately.

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“Journalism is NOT a crime.
Journalism is NOT a crime.
Journalism is NOT a crime.
Journalism is NOT a crime.
Journalism is NOT a crime.
Journalism is NOT a crime.
Journalism is NOT a crime.

“We’ll take appropriate legal action if he’s not immediately released”

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Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

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A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

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READ ALSO:Indian National Arraigned In Lagos Over Alleged N22m Supermarket Fraud

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

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The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Intercepts Indian Lady With 72 Parcels Of Heroin ON n Chocolate Wraps

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

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Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

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Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

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The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

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READ ALSO:Strait Of Hormuz: Pakistan Thanks Trump For Pausing ‘Project Freedom’

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

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Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

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US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

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The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

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READ ALSO:US Restricts Entry Routes For Travellers From DRC, Uganda, South Sudan Over Ebola Outbreak

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

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Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

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