In a recent development, Ibrahim Egungboun, a prominent businessman in Ogun state, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, expressing concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation by a popular Nigerian journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.
Egungboun, commonly known as Dende, strongly disputes the findings presented in Soyombo’s investigative report titled “Undercover as a Smuggler.”
The report, which implicated Egungboun as a gun runner who allegedly evaded security agents through bribery, was published on February 21, 2024, on both Soyombo’s media platform, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and The Cables, subsequently discussed on Arise Television.
Accompanied by a petition prepared by his legal representative, D.O Folalu of Lawfix Chambers, Dende asserts that the report was a calculated effort to harm his personal and business interests both within and outside Nigeria.
The crux of Soyombo’s report relied on statements attributed to an individual named Jide, who claimed that Dende had transitioned from importing goods to smuggling firearms, an allegation dating back to August 2022.
Dende, in his plea to the Inspector General, expressed willingness to undergo a thorough investigation to debunk the claims made against him.
Emphasizing the potential legal ramifications, Dende’s lawyer stated, “the allegations in the report were designed to cause inconvenience, danger, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, and needless anxiety,” citing Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015.
The petition implores the Inspector General to urgently and seriously investigate the publications, emphasizing the broader implications not only for Dende personally but also for the overall security framework of the country.
Efforts to obtain a response from Fisayo Soyombo were unsuccessful, as calls to his cellphone went unanswered, and messages sent to FIJ’s mail received no response at the time of reporting.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE