Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has invited ‘Fisayo Soyombo, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (EQ), to a roundtable discussion where reforms of Nigeria’s correctional centres will be addressed.

The minister’s invitation, announced through his X account on Saturday night, was on account of Soyombo’s hard-worn 2019 undercover investigation on the Nigerian criminal justice, including Ikoyi prison, where he was stripped nearly naked, handcuffed to the rear of his body and brutalised after his cover was blown.

Following his recent revelations on a national TV, I find it necessary to invite renowned investigative journalist, Mr @fisayosoyombo of @fijnigeria, to a roundtable conversation. I believe his expertise will be invaluable in shaping the ongoing reforms in @CorrectionsNg.I look…— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) October 12, 2024

He wrote:

“Following his recent revelations on national TV, I find it necessary to invite renowned investigative journalist Mr @fisayosoyombo of @fijnigeria, to a roundtable conversation. I believe his expertise will be invaluable in shaping the ongoing reforms in @CorrectionsNg. I look forward to this conversation as we explore ways to create positive change that will help us navigate the complexities of our service while identifying areas for improvement.”

READ ALSO: ALERT: DSS Planning to Arrest EQ Founder ‘Fisayo Soyombo

This invitation came a week after Soyombo honoured an interview on Arise TV where he discussed the corruption in Nigeria’s correctional centres.

I was on Arise TV to discuss the irredemable corruption in prisons: how prisons officials confess you’ll serve the prison “either with your money or your body”, how a magistrate can rule “remanded in prison” and you’ll sleep in your house that very nighthttps://t.co/hifBesFGRL— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) October 6, 2024

EQ’s founder discusses the “irredeemable corruption” in Nigerian prisons in a recent TV show. CREDIT: Arise TV.

During the undercover investigation, Soyombo exposed the shocking levels of corruption at Ikoyi prison.

His undercover investigation revealed that prison warders demanded bribes from inmates to secure their release, preferential treatment and lush apartments in prisons to escape typical prison life.

READ ALSO: NPF-NCCC Releases EQ’s Founder ‘Fisayo Soyombo on Bail

Soyombo also exposed the secret lives of inmates, how they always had access to mobile phones sold to them by the warders; how they consumed alcohol and hard drugs in prison.

On Sunday, Soyombo welcomed the minister’s invitation, writing on his X handle:

“I welcome the invitation of the Interior Minister to a roundtable where I can call upon my undercover knowledge of prison operations for the benefit of systemic reforms.

“Whether an invitation from the Nigeria Police Force or any institution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, my disposition is to honour all invitations by the state. We won’t speak the truth and start running when we are called for interrogation or consultation.

READ ALSO: Force Headquarters Detains ‘Fisayo Soyombo Over Story Exposing High-Level Police Corruption

“Our work is motivated by a passion for reforms. Forfeiting my freedom for two weeks in a police cell and a prison, putting my body on the line and getting brutalised in the process are all pains we took because we want a better society. Therefore, I welcome this chance.”

In August, Soyombo honoured an invitation from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), spending eight hours in their custody and being released on bail.

EQ also reported in September that the Department of State Services (DSS) was planning to arrest him.
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