Investigating the Investigator: What’s missing in Soyombo’s smuggling report?

Fisayo Soyombo’s Smuggling Allegations Against IBD Dende Under Scrutiny

In a recent two-part investigation, Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), alleged that Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun—popularly known as IBD Dende—is a key player in smuggling rice and firearms into Nigeria.

However, a close review of the 4,519-word exposé raises serious concerns about the credibility, motives, and ethics behind Soyombo’s claims.

What Soyombo Didn’t Tell You About IBD Dende’s Smuggling Accusations

When Investigative Journalism Becomes Character Assassination

Investigating the Investigator: What’s Missing in Soyombo’s Smuggling Report?

Accusations Without Proof

Soyombo claimed that “IBD International Hotels, Ilaro, [was] well-known by all and sundry to have been built with proceeds of smuggling.”

Such a grave allegation demands bank statements, customs records, or court documents—yet none were provided. Publishing accusations without hard evidence risks defamation and violates the core principles of ethical journalism.

Political Undertones in the Report

Soyombo has openly identified with the Obidient Movement, supporters of Peter Obi, a political rival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In the report, Soyombo linked Egungbohun to Tinubu, writing:

“Dende has numerous allies in politics — no less President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for whom he publicly canvassed support in the lead-up to the presidential election…”

This raises the question: Was the investigation politically motivated? Could targeting a Tinubu ally serve as a tool to weaken a political opponent?

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Weak Sources and Hearsay

The central smuggling claim rests on the testimony of an unnamed petty smuggler, “Jide.”

• No Customs officials were interviewed.

• No court or police records were cited.

• No eyewitness corroboration was presented.

If “Jide” had personal grievances, his narrative could have been biased. In investigative journalism, anonymous sources must be backed by independent verification—yet this report lacked such checks.

Contradictions in the Investigation

Upon closer examination, multiple inconsistencies emerge:

1. Soyombo says he smuggled 100 bags of rice without interference, contradicting his own claim that Egungbohun controls the routes.

2. His description of “thousands of bags of rice” in Adja Ouere is inconsistent with the town’s retail-level trade.

3. Geographic errors—such as distances between Ilaro Polytechnic, Iyana-Egbo, and Oja-Odan—undermine accuracy.

4. The gun-running claims lack names, weapon details, or law enforcement reports.

Ethical Breaches in Journalism

The report appears to violate basic media ethics:

• No right of reply: Egungbohun was never contacted for comment.

• No evidence: No official Customs records or financial documents were produced.

• Presumption of guilt: The tone disregards the legal principle of innocent until proven guilty.

In court, such claims would be dismissed without evidence—should journalism be held to a lower standard?

Who is Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun?

According to RazorTimes (May 5, 2022), Egungbohun began as a carpenter in Yewa North, Ogun State, before rising to become a successful businessman and philanthropist.

He is also a licensed clearing and forwarding agent, legally authorized to process imports—a fact that contradicts the portrayal of him as a habitual smuggler.

Conclusion: Investigative Journalism or Political Smear?

Without credible evidence or a chance for Egungbohun to respond, Soyombo’s work risks being remembered not as an exposé, but as character assassination.

If investigative journalism is to maintain public trust, organizations like the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and the MacArthur Foundation must ensure their platforms are not used for politically driven narratives disguised as fact-finding.