…DEMAND ARREST OF FISAYO SOYOMBO, SANCTION OF ARISE TV
In a swift response to prejudiced, treacherous, and erroneous Fisayo Soyombo’s investigative report titled “Undercover as a Smuggler,” which accuses Yewa border towns of gunrunning; and Alhaji Ibrahim Dende, a licensed clearing and forwarding agent, of being “Ilaro’s biggest smuggler,” the Yewa Youth Association has petitioned the National Broadcasting Commission and the Inspector General of Police condemning the allegations and demanding immediate action. The association, representing the youth of Yewaland, expressed concern over the lack of concrete evidence supporting the slanderous accusations made in the documentary.
In a petition to the Inspector General of Police and the National Broadcasting Commission signed by the organization leadership and made available to the press by the Director of Media and Strategy of the Organization, Olaniyi Adekunle, the association finds it “absurd and quite irritating” that the investigative journalist failed to uphold the cornerstone of any credible investigation, which is concrete evidence. They highlighted the reliance on the testimony of a single individual, referred to as Jide, without corroborating evidence, as a significant concern. The association emphasized that such allegations are not only offensive but also contrary to provisions of section 24(1) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
“Relying solely on the testimony of a single individual, without corroborating evidence, introduces a myriad of concerns regarding credibility, motive, and potential biases,” the letter states. The association also criticized Arise TV for airing the broadcast without adhering to the principles of fairness, objectivity, and evidentiary standards.
Olaniyi Adekunle made it known that Yewa Youth Association is ready, if needs be, for a legal showdown worth 250 million naira each with both Fisayo Soyombo and Arise TV. As residents of a border town, the organization highlighted the challenges already faced by the community, including economic disparities and security concerns. They emphasized that unjustly targeting individuals and allegations of gunrunning against her towns without proper justification exacerbate these challenges and undermine the integrity of their region. The association concluded by demanding an immediate investigation and arrest of Fisayo Soyombo, as well as sanctions on Arise TV for airing the report.
