Nnamdi Ibezim, a Nigerian journalist and publisher, is facing a critical situation, with his freedom and safety under serious threat. Ibezim, who sought refuge in the United Kingdom after being targeted by Nigerian authorities, announced on his X account on Tuesday that he has been given a nine-day ultimatum to leave the UK.
Ibezim fears that if he is deported back to Nigeria, he will likely be arrested and imprisoned. His troubles began in September 2023 when the Nigeria Police Force revealed plans to prosecute him for allegedly cyberstalking former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. As the founder of Reportera News, an independent news outlet established in April 2022, Ibezim had aimed to uphold unbiased reporting and improve the Nigerian and African media landscape. However, his case highlights the growing dangers faced by journalists in Nigeria.
In September 2023, the police officially announced that they had concluded their investigation and were prepared to arraign Ibezim for cyberstalking Fashola. In a statement dated September 6, 2023, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that Ibezim would be brought before the court once it resumed. This decision followed a report from Priory Terrace Solicitors, acting on behalf of Fashola.
According to Adejobi, investigations by the Force Intelligence Bureau revealed that Ibezim had made false allegations against Fashola through a post on his social media handle @ReporteraNews on August 5, 2023. The post claimed that Fashola was involved in drafting a controversial verdict for the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT). Ibezim also alleged that military forces had been stationed at Fashola’s residence to restrict movement, attempting to tarnish the former minister’s reputation.
On Tuesday, Ibezim took to his personal X account @IruefiNG to express his frustration and fear over the numerous battles he had faced in the past year. He shared that he no longer wished to subject himself and his loved ones to further emotional strain. He also revealed that he had fallen victim to a scam, losing all his savings to a Nigerian he trusted to help him process documents for him and his family to live and work in the UK.
Despite the challenges, Ibezim noted that he had sought financial assistance from friends to survive the ordeal. He wrote, “In exactly nine days, I am required to leave the UK, where I fled after being targeted by Nigerian authorities over news published on my media platform @ReporteraNews in August 2023. My family and I were treated unfairly, and I have fought many battles since then. One of these battles involved falling victim to a scam that left me penniless.”
Ibezim continued, “I do not want to return to Nigeria because my life is in danger, but at this point, I leave everything in God’s hands. If it is His will that I return, then so be it.”
He extended his gratitude to those who supported him, including @icons_closet, @chiditweets042, @chymaker, and @AdenikeAwe1, saying, “I hope to repay your kindness someday.” He also issued a somber warning: “If you do not hear from me by the end of November, it is likely that I have been deported and possibly arrested by Nigerian authorities. Let this serve as an SOS in advance.”
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