Undercover: IBD Dende Sues FIJ, Arise TV, Soyombo

A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has asked for the appearance of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Arise (TV) Media Group, and Fisayo Soyombo, within 30 days, as defendants to defend themselves in a lawsuit filed by an Ogun State born Customs Licensed Agent and alleged smuggling kingpin, Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun.

In the writ of summons number: G/2286/24 dated 3rd May, 2024, Chief Egungbohun popularly referred to as IBD Dende institutes the legal action against the trio for the assassination of his personality through numerous tweets on their “X” handles as well as broadcast on the Arise Television’s special programme tagged, “The Morning Show” as aired on 24th of February, 2024.

Egungbohun is also seeking an Order of the FCT Court for the retraction of the libelous statements and tendering of a public apology by each of the Defendants, to be published by the 1st and 2nd Defendants on their X handles @fisayosoyombo and @fijnigeria and on the 2nd Defendant’s blog fij. ng, and to be published/broadcasted by all the Defendants in the 3rd Defendant’s Television programme “THE MORNING SHOW”.

He also seeks the Court to restrain the Defendants from any further defamatory publications (including the use of innuendos) on their X handles, websites, TV programmes, or any other means of publication.

Chief Egungbohun is further asking the defendants to pay as general damages of a sum of ₦5,000,000,000.00 (Five Billion Naira) and the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) being the cost of instituting (the) Suit”.

Osun Defender had on March 1 reported how Dende threatened to kill an Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) who stopped the smuggling of his goods from Benin Republic into Nigeria.

The incident, which occurred in January, preceded the Foundation of Investigative Journalism’s undercover report done by ace journalist and owner of the medium, Fisayo Soyombo, exposing the collaboration between Customs bosses and smugglers.

However, IBD Dende vehemently denied involvement in smuggling and accused FIJ of character assassination.

Reacting to IBD Dende, FIJ unveiled exclusive footage of Dende’s threat, showcasing IBD Dende and the Customs officials.