Police Invites FIJ’s Emmanuel Uti Over ‘Fraud’ Report, Detain Him Without Explanation

Emmanuel Uti, a Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter, has been detained by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) annex in Alagbon, Lagos State.

Uti was accused of criminal conspiracy and cyberbullying following a report published by FIJ on November 28, 2024, titled, “Lagos Man Paid Expedia Consult’s Beverly Basil N4m for Canada Admission in 2023. She Disappeared With the Money.”

On Tuesday morning, Uti, accompanied by one of FIJ’s lawyers, honoured a police invitation to meet with SP Magaji Ibrahim. Despite spending over six hours responding to police questions, Uti was denied the ability to make calls and held incommunicado, FIJ reports.

FIJ’s lawyer, who attended the meeting, revealed that Uti would likely remain in detention overnight unless the situation changes.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPRO), was contacted by FIJ regarding the journalist’s detention.

Adejobi assured FIJ he would look into the matter, but no updates had been provided when filing this report.

The detention stems from Uti’s investigative report about a Lagos man who alleged that Beverly Basil of Expedia Consult collected N4 million from him in 2023 for Canadian university admission but failed to deliver on the promise. FIJ’s story detailed the man’s ordeal and efforts to recover his money.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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