Emmanuel Uti, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been released from the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) annexe in Alagbon, Lagos, FIJ reports.
The police invited Uti over allegations of criminal conspiracy and cyberbullying related to a November 28, 2024 FIJ report on a failed admission transaction between Beverly Basil of Expedia Consult and Muyiwa Taiwo, a Lagos resident.
Uti had arrived at the station in the morning, accompanied by an FIJ lawyer, in response to a police invitation for a “fact-finding” mission. However, what was initially presented as routine questioning lasted for about five hours, after which he was not allowed to leave.
Uti was questioned by an officer who insisted he should have visited Expedia’s physical office before publishing the story. This the officer said despite rceeiving confirmation that Uti contacted Expedia on their official phone number and did the same with Beverly Basil multiple times.
The policemen subsequently prepared a bail document accusing Uti of cybercrime.
READ MORE: Why the Police at Alagbon Are Detaining FIJ Reporter Emmanuel Uti
Uti’s invitation stems from a report titled ‘Lagos Man Paid Expedia Consult’s Beverly Basil N4m for Canada Admission in 2023. She Disappeared With the Money’, detailing how Expedia Consult received paymenst totalling N4 million from a client to facilitate admission to the Canadian Institute of Management and Technology (CIMT), but it did not happen.
Despite multiple attempts to reach the organisation for comments before publication, FIJ received no response.
When FIJ called Basil on WhatsApp for comments, she did not respond. She also did not reply to the WhatsApp message FIJ sent.
