Lagos Journalist Arrested After Investigating Lawmaker Over N350 Million Alleged Misappropriation
A Lagos-based journalist, Zaccheaus Ukhueleigbe, has been arrested after publishing an investigative report revealing how Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo, member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, allegedly received over N350 million for constituency projects that were never executed.
Titled “Revealed: How Ifako-Ijaiye Residents Suffer Despite Millions of Naira Received For Constituency Projects,” the report highlighted that several government-funded projects under Olabinjo’s allocations were either abandoned, incomplete, or non-existent despite full budgetary releases.
According to Ukhueleigbe, Olabinjo, popularly known as BAO, allegedly received more than N350 million between 2021 and 2024 for projects including road rehabilitation, solar-powered streetlights, vocational training, and youth empowerment programmes. Residents, however, told reporters that none of these projects were delivered.
The investigation also suggested that some projects were awarded to companies linked to the lawmaker. Ukhueleigbe’s repeated attempts to reach Olabinjo for comment were reportedly unsuccessful, as his media aide, identified as Mr. Yekini, refused to provide any clarification.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the journalist was lured into a trap under the pretext of a scheduled interview with the lawmaker. The meeting, allegedly arranged by Olabinjo’s aide, reportedly turned into an ambush. Ukhueleigbe was detained and taken to Oko Oba Police Station in Lagos, where he remains in custody.
A source close to the journalist called for his immediate release, urging the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), human rights organisations, and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene. “This is a clear attempt to silence the press and intimidate those exposing corruption among public officials,” the source said.
The arrest comes days after another journalist, Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano, was detained in Kano following a petition by Abdullahi Rogo, Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Rogo, currently under investigation by the EFCC and ICPC over an alleged N6.5 billion scandal, accused Rano of defamation related to his programme “Imalu.”
Rano was reportedly questioned over allegations of defaming Rogo and operating an online television station without an NBC licence. He maintained that online media platforms are not required to obtain NBC licences, but was allegedly detained on the DG’s directive. In a peculiar twist, police reportedly demanded that Rano “produce Imalu,” the fictional character from his programme, before release.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
