Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, Nigeria Customs Boss And Us

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2025

thecloudngr

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, Nigeria Customs Boss And Us—-Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), took on the Nigeria Customs Service, determined to expose the hidden truths and blurred lines within the institution. Despite being threatened with hefty lawsuits, Soyombo stood firm, armed with secret recordings of audio, video, and images.

When FiSayo Soyombo received the first lawsuit letter, his lawyers quickly responded within three hours, requesting a court meeting with Ibrahim Dende and his team. However, in a surprising twist, Dende decided to withdraw the case, Suit Number CV/2286/2024, against Soyombo. This sudden move surprised Nigerians, leaving many stunned.

However, Soyombo refused to accept the withdrawal, prompting Dende to reapply to continue with the lawsuit. This development has added another layer of complexity to the case, which has already sparked widespread interest and concern about corruption and accountability in Nigeria

The most alarming allegation, however, is that Dende, an alleged smuggler, claimed to have had a hand in the appointment of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the Comptroller General of Customs. This raises serious concerns about corruption and collusion within the customs service.

It’s worth noting that Soyombo, a renowned investigative journalist, has a history of taking on tough cases. He’s known for his fearless approach, having gone undercover to expose corruption in Nigeria’s justice system

Nigeria’s Customs boss, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has found himself at the center of a corruption scandal. Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo alleges that Adeniyi’s appointment as Comptroller-General of Customs was facilitated by none other than IBD Dende, an alleged notorious smuggler with a reputation for trafficking rice, turkey, arms, and ammunition. Dende is alleged by Soyombo to be the leader of the ‘Inumidun (Smuggling) Squad’.

This revelation is unsettling, to say the least. The idea that an alleged smuggler could have influenced the appointment of the Customs boss is akin to a robbery gang leader having a say in who becomes the Inspector General of Police. The allegations are disturbing conflict of interest that undermines the integrity of the Customs Service.

Interestingly, Adeniyi has been actively working to combat corruption within the Service. He recently met with the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to discuss strategies for mitigating corruption. However, these efforts may be overshadowed by the allegations surrounding his appointment.

The situation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s institutions. As the country continues to grapple with corruption, it’s essential to ensure that those in positions of power are free from undue influence and are working in the best interests of the nation.

Southwestern Nigeria’s alleged most notorious smuggler wasn’t just invited to the Customs Officers Wives Association’s ‘relaunch’ event in Abuja – they were a major donor! This isn’t a bad dream, it actually happened in the Nigeria Customs. It’s a stark reminder of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where the lines between right and wrong are hopelessly blurred. With the weight of allegations confronting the current Comptroller-General’s leadership, it seems reality has become a real-life Animal Farm

A viral video by investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo surfaced sometime last year, allegedly showing notorious smuggler Dende mentioning Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the current Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), while accusing customs officers of allowing his trailers carrying smuggled rice into Nigeria. In the video, Dende is seen threatening to kill a customs officer for stopping his smuggled rice and is heard ordering someone to “Call Wale, call Wale” – with ‘Wale’ referring to Adeniyi, a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

This shocking allegations raises serious concerns about corruption and collusion within the customs service.

The Nigerian Customs Service has responded to allegations surrounding Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), stating that the altercation in question stemmed from the seizure of allegedly smuggled goods. However, many Nigerians remain skeptical, as there has been no update on the investigation into claims that Adeniyi’s own trailers of rice were allowed into the country while those of Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun were refused.

The Customs spokesperson acknowledged the severity of the allegations against Adeniyi but failed to provide any information on the prosecution of Dende or the outcome of the investigation. Interestingly, it has been alleged to light that Dende and Adeniyi have a long-standing friendship that predates Adeniyi’s appointment as Comptroller General of Customs.

These allegations raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the customs service under Adeniyi’s leadership. As the Comptroller General of Customs, Adeniyi has been instrumental in promoting data analytics and innovation within the service. However, the lack of transparency surrounding this allegation threatens to undermine his efforts and erode public trust in the institution.

After the litigant’s application to withdraw the lawsuit against Fisayo Soyombo was rejected, they have reapplied to continue the case. Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this high-profile case. This development comes after Soyombo, an investigative journalist, exposed alleged corruption in the Nigeria Customs Service, leading to a lawsuit against him

Akinwale, a public affairs commentator, writes from Abeokuta

thecloudngr

0Shares

Up Next

Governor Aiyedatiwa Grants Amnesty to 40 Prisoners On 60th Birthday

Don't Miss

#CHEMOR: Watch Free Livestream Match Between Chelsea Vs Morecambe Here

Click to comment

News

Unlocking Website Potential: How Emdash Theme Can Transform Your Online Presence

Published

7 hours ago

October 7, 2026

GretaBHintz4935

Emdash theme stands out for its clean design, user-friendly interface, and extensive customization options. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice user, Emdash makes it easy to create a professional-looking website that reflects your brand identity. Its responsive design ensures that your website looks great on any device, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones. In a world where mobile browsing is increasingly prevalent, this is a non-negotiable feature.

One of the most significant advantages of Emdash is its flexibility. It offers a wide range of pre-built templates and layouts, which can be easily adapted to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re building a blog, an e-commerce store, or a portfolio website, Emdash provides the tools you need to get the job done. The theme is also highly customizable, allowing you to change colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand aesthetic.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Emdash is also designed with performance in mind. It’s optimized for speed and SEO, ensuring that your website loads quickly and ranks well in search engine results. This is crucial for attracting organic traffic and improving your online visibility. A slow-loading website can frustrate visitors and lead to high bounce rates, which can negatively impact your search engine rankings.

Furthermore, Emdash boasts excellent documentation and customer support. If you ever run into any issues or have questions about the theme, you can rely on their comprehensive documentation or reach out to their support team for assistance. This is a valuable asset, especially for those who are new to WordPress or website development.

In my experience, Emdash has been a game-changer for many of my clients. It has allowed them to create stunning websites that effectively showcase their products and services. It’s a theme that strikes the perfect balance between design, functionality, and ease of use. If you’re looking for a WordPress theme that can help you transform your online presence, I highly recommend giving Emdash a try. You can find more information about the this theme at https://emdashtheme.org.

GretaBHintz4935

In today’s digital landscape, a strong online presence is no longer optional – it’s essential for success. Your website serves as the virtual storefront of your business, and first impressions matter. A poorly designed or outdated website can deter potential customers and damage your credibility. This is where selecting the right WordPress theme becomes crucial, and I’ve found Emdash to be a particularly powerful and versatile option. Emdash theme stands out for its clean design, user-friendly interface, and extensive customization options. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice user, Emdash makes it easy to create a professional-looking website that reflects your brand identity. Its responsive design ensures that your website looks great on any device, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones. In a world where mobile browsing is increasingly prevalent, this is a non-negotiable feature. One of the most significant advantages of Emdash is its flexibility. It offers a wide range of pre-built templates and layouts, which can be easily adapted to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re building a blog, an e-commerce store, or a portfolio website, Emdash provides the tools you need to get the job done. The theme is also highly customizable, allowing you to change colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand aesthetic. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Emdash is also designed with performance in mind.

0Shares

Sports

BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Silence on Portugal Exit, Accuses Jorge Jesus of Breaking His Word

Published

14 hours ago

October 7, 2026

thecloudngr

BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Silence on Portugal Exit, Accuses Jorge Jesus of Breaking His Word—-The 41-year-old Portugal captain apologised for leaving the national-team camp but said he remains available for selection after serving any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over his controversial departure from the Portugal national team camp, accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word twice and revealing the circumstances that led him to walk away from the squad.

In a lengthy statement released on Tuesday, October 6, Ronaldo gave his own account of the dispute, while also apologising to his teammates and Portuguese supporters for leaving the camp ahead of Portugal’s Nations League fixture against Denmark.

Despite the fallout, Ronaldo made it clear that he has not walked away from international football and remains willing to represent Portugal again.

“If I’m physically fit, playing for my club and scoring goals, after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I’ll be available, as I have always been until now, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo said in his statement.

Ronaldo Reveals What Happened

According to Ronaldo, his initial discussions with Jorge Jesus were centred on managing his workload because of his fitness.

The Portugal captain said Jesus had originally agreed that he would miss the matches against Norway and Denmark as part of a plan to manage his physical condition.

However, Ronaldo claimed that shortly before the Norway match, Jesus told him he would play for approximately 30 minutes.

Ronaldo said he subsequently warmed up from halftime but was never introduced.

“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo said, describing the incident as the first occasion when Jesus had broken his word to him.

The forward said the situation became even more difficult after a subsequent meeting involving Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho.

Ronaldo said they agreed that Jesus would publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding his decision not to use him against Norway.

An eight-point document was reportedly prepared, with Ronaldo saying it made clear that he had never demanded playing time, had respected the coach’s decisions and that asking him to warm up without eventually introducing him had been a mistake.

However, Ronaldo claimed that Jesus’ subsequent public comments did not reflect the agreement they had reached privately.

He therefore accused the coach of breaking his word for a second time.

“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said. “I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.”

Ronaldo Apologises to Portugal

Ronaldo also accepted responsibility for his decision to leave the squad.

The veteran forward apologised to his teammates for abandoning the training camp and admitted that his position as Portugal captain made the incident more serious.

“I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp,” Ronaldo said.

He also apologised to Portuguese supporters for failing to greet them following the Norway match.

However, Ronaldo insisted that he believed leaving was ultimately the right decision after he felt his continued presence could negatively affect the team.

He said he was prepared to accept whatever disciplinary action the Portuguese Football Federation decides to impose.

“The consequences of my actions must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he stated.

Ronaldo Rules Out a Permanent Exit

Despite the controversy, Ronaldo insisted that his future with Portugal remains open.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner rejected the suggestion that he was simply seeking a farewell appearance before permanently ending his international career.

He said Portugal may eventually organise one or more farewell matches, but stressed that his immediate priority remains competing for the national team rather than simply receiving a ceremonial goodbye.

Ronaldo’s statement therefore leaves the door firmly open for a return once any suspension has been served.

“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” he said.

Jorge Jesus Gives a Different Account

Ronaldo’s version of events has not gone unchallenged.

Jesus previously denied that he had reached the specific agreement described by Ronaldo, while also making clear that the door to a return remained open.

The Portugal coach has maintained that Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants to, leaving the next step largely in the player’s hands.

The Portuguese Football Federation had not immediately issued a response to Ronaldo’s latest statement.

Ronaldo’s Portugal Future

The dispute comes at a delicate stage of Portugal’s international campaign, with the team progressing under Jesus while Ronaldo’s future remains uncertain.

Ronaldo’s latest statement, however, removes one major question: he has not closed the door on Portugal.

At 41, the veteran captain remains determined to contribute whenever he is fit and selected, even after acknowledging that his decision to leave camp could result in disciplinary punishment.

For now, the focus shifts to the Portuguese Football Federation, which must decide whether Ronaldo will face a suspension and how the latest dispute will affect his relationship with Jesus and the national team.

Ronaldo’s message was ultimately clear: the departure was a consequence of what he described as a breakdown of trust — but it was not a declaration that his Portugal career is over.

thecloudngr