Nigeria: Journalist Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi, Faces Death Threats For Criticizing The Wife Of Kayode Fayemi, Former Governor Of Ekiti

Location:  Nigeria      
Date: November 15, 2022

Journalist Abimbola Olajumoke Omawumi's life is in danger over a story published on social media involving  Bisi Fayemi, wife of the immediate past governor of Ekiti State. The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support to Olawumi and urges Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety of all women journalists in the country.

On November 15, 2022, journalist, Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi, received a phone call from one Mr. Williams from the Department of State Services (DSS) who summoned her to their office regarding a petition brought to them by Demola Obanise who is the brother-in-law of former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi. 

The journalist says her life is in danger over a story she published on social media involving Bisi Fayemi, wife of the immediate past governor of Ekiti State. Olawumi claims she has been receiving strange calls from unknown numbers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) who were detailed to get her arrested by any means. 

In 2018, Olawumi published on Facebook an alleged case of money laundering involving Fayemi in Dubai. The journalist accused the former governor’s wife of money laundering to the tune of N500 million in Dubai and embezzling the amount of N710 million weeks after the commencement of her husband as governor in 2018.

According to the journalist, the former first lady, Bisi Fayemi, was supposedly arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the case was covered up because they enjoyed immunity, while in office (2018-2022). 

As a result they could not be prosecuted, for all the corruption, money laundering, unethical management of the state's finances, diversion of billions of Naira of public funds, human rights abuses and other criminal activities, which the pair was implicated in.

“I’m currently being harassed, intimidated and threatened by the former governor of my state: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, his wife; Bisi Adeleye Fayemi and their brother-in-law; Demola Obanise.

I have been receiving calls from strange numbers and even the Department of State Services, DSS, has also been detailed to get me arrested by all means, because I recently published on social media, a case of money laundering, involving Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, the wife of the former governor, in Dubai, in 2018," said Olawumi.

The journalist said that her "crime" was being consistent in her criticism of how the former governor and his wife had been running the state since they assumed office in 2018. The journalist added that as a result her mobile is currently being tracked and she is being followed by hired goons. 

When the  former Governor organized security agencies to impose impeachment on a democratically elected Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan. The journalist again raised her voice against the illegality. Olawumi is known for being vocal against human rights abuses. 

In addition, the wife of the former governor, Bisi Fayemi, has petitioned the police and has demanded an investigation of Olawumi. 

In the petition dated November 14 and addressed to the commissioner of police via her attorney, Fayemi has accused the journalist of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, criminal, persistent social media attacks. Fayemi has enforced the provisions of the Cyber Crimes Act 2015. 

Bisi Fayemi said she had no other alternative but to petition the police in efforts to exculpate her name and protect her reputation which she has built over the years.

The journalist has called on Amnesty International to investigate, and ensure that she and her family are shielded against Kayode Fayemi, Bisi Fayemi, and Demola Obanise. According to Olawumi,  Amnesty International should also make sure that the trio are prosecuted for corruption, illegalities, flagrant abuse of office, human rights abuses, harassment, intimidation and death threats to her life. 

Olawumi said that the plea was imperative due to the compromised nature of security agencies in Nigeria. It is not uncommon in Nigeria for high status individuals to be exonerated although guilty. The authorities are much more inclined to punish the innocent for challenging corruption. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi and all women journalists in Nigeria who are unjustly prosecuted, harassed and threatened for simply doing their duty in keeping the public interest at the forefront of their reportage. We demand that the Nigerian government take action against impunity for the elite and protect freedom of the press. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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