It is now officially four years since the Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice (FIJ) began championing justice and accountability. Since its inception in January 20, 2021, FIJ has been at the helm of investigative reporting, driving social change and amplifying the voices of the marginalised.

In the past year, we told 112 social justice stories that have sparked conversations and ignited change. As we continue this journey, we pause to spotlight 20 stories that have left a lasting mark on our mission and on society:

1. House of Representatives to Investigate Nigeria Customs After FIJ’s Revelations

On December 11, 2024, the House of Representatives, led by Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, moved to investigate the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following multiple smuggling exposés by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, founder of FIJ.

Soyombo’s groundbreaking investigation, released in February 2024, exposed widespread corruption, revealing how Customs officials aided smuggling of contraband items, including motorcycles for terrorists, weapons, and hard drugs. His social media campaign, nicknamed the ‘Good Morning Nigeria Customs’ tweets, further revealed corruption within the NCS, leading to public outrage and administrative actions against some officials.

The motion, titled ‘Need to Investigate the Activities of the Nigeria Customs Service’, highlighted the smuggling of over 6.5 million kilograms of rice and 2,000 cars through Badagry, with evidence of Customs’ complicity. Whingan also raised concerns about the harassment of citizens and traders, including violent assaults on whistleblowers.

2. Man Who Stole N14.5m from Friend’s Surgery Fund Returns Full Amount After FIJ’s Intervention

Following FIJ’s investigation, Taiwo Abdulkabir Adesina fully refunded N14.5 million he siphoned from funds raised for Rafiu Kehinde Ambali’s life-saving surgery. In 2019, Ambali, suffering from chronic diabetes and a severe fungal infection, crowdfunded N16 million for treatment. Adesina, a trusted guardian, misused the funds by first borrowing N7 million under false pretenses and losing it to cryptocurrency trading. He later withdrew an additional N7.5 million without consent.

After prolonged repayment in installments, Adesina completed the refund in January. Ambali, still battling health issues, expressed gratitude but continues to seek advanced medical care. FIJ’s report ensured accountability and justice in this case.

3. Access Holdings Discloses N11.3 Trillion Contingent Liabilities Following FIJ’s Investigation

Access Holdings PLC, the parent company of Access Bank Group, revealed N11.3 trillion in contingent liabilities in its 2023 financial report. This disclosure came after FIJ exposed the company’s practice of underreporting legal claims, including a N1.2 trillion lawsuit, in violation of international financial reporting standards.

Before FIJ’s investigation, Access Holdings had only listed general provisions for potential losses but did not specify details of the lawsuits. The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) responded to FIJ’s findings by announcing plans to introduce new regulations for better reporting of contingent liabilities.

Access’s 2023 report marked the first time the company publicly disclosed a comprehensive figure for its legal claims, including 267 cases with an estimated N11.3 trillion in demands.

4. Orphanage Founder Faced Human Trafficking Charges After FIJ Uncovered Baby Sales

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) charged Deborah Ogo, the founder of Arrows of God Orphanage Home, with human trafficking after an undercover investigation by FIJ’s founder, ‘Fisayo Soyombo exposed the orphanage’s involvement in selling babies for cash. The charge was filed at the Federal High Court in Awka.

FIJ’s investigation, conducted over 19 months, revealed that babies were sold for prices ranging from N1.5 million to N2 million. Following the investigation, NAPTIP took custody of the baby purchased by FIJ and sealed several outlets of the orphanage in Lagos and Anambra. Ogo’s Zenith Bank account was also frozen following a court order, and she faced legal proceedings under Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons Act.

5. Libmot Express Compensates Customer After FIJ Exposes Negligence in Damaged Shipment

Libmot Express, the logistics arm of Libra Motors, compensated Lagos resident Sunday Johnson with N36,000 after FIJ reported his damaged water closet during transit. The payment, made six days after FIJ’s story, covered 80% of the N45,000 water closet cost but excluded the dispatch fee, as other parts of the shipment were intact.

Johnson had struggled for over three months to get indemnification after the incident, despite paying N21,900 for the shipment.

6. Engineer Receives N1.8m Refund From Construction Company After FIJ’s Intervention

Kaniz Construction Limited refunded N1.8 million to an Abuja-based telecommunications engineer, resolving a 19-month dispute after FIJ stepped in. The engineer had requested a refund in March 2022 after withdrawing from a real estate deal due to lack of progress on a two-bedroom apartment he subscribed to through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Despite assurances, the refund was delayed until FIJ’s August 2023 report highlighted the issue.

7. Police Declare Ex-Kogi Governorship Aspirant Wanted After FIJ Exposes N153m Land Fraud

The Nigeria Police Force declared Musa Salihu Mubarak, a former Kogi governorship aspirant and CEO of Almubee Group, wanted for refusing to honour police invitations related to fraud allegations. This follows FIJ’s report exposing Musa for collecting N153 million from seven clients without delivering promised land plots in Wuye, Abuja.

Musa, also known as Emperor Almubee, allegedly sold land using fraudulent documents and failed to refund his clients after the transactions were invalidated. Despite his aspirations for the 2023 Kogi governorship under the NNPP, his clients accused him of obtaining money under false pretenses and breaching their trust.

8. Contractor Resumes Work on Abandoned Lagos Road After FIJ’s Report

Work resumed on Irawo Road in Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Lagos, nearly a week after FIJ exposed its abandonment in a worse state than before construction began. Residents confirmed that the contractor returned on Monday with equipment and workers, contrary to claims by LCDA chairman Mayor Dele Oshinowo that work had never stopped.

The project, handled by Gales Engineering Limited, had been halted weeks into its six-month timeline, leaving the road unusable. FIJ’s report prompted the contractor to return and resume work on the site.

9. Travel Agency Refunds £4,500 to Customer After FIJ Story on Unprocessed Sponsorship Certificate

Into Migration refunded Ifeoluwa Ojedokun £4,500, a day after FIJ reported that the travel agency failed to process his certificate of sponsorship (CoS) seven months after he paid them.

Ojedokun had initially paid £5,000 in November 2023 for the service, but the agency did not deliver and delayed his refund repeatedly. After FIJ’s intervention, the agency refunded the money, minus 10% administrative charges.

10. NPF Updates Website’s SSL Certificate After FIJ’s Report on Security Lapses

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) updated its website’s SSL certificate following an FIJ report about security issues on the site. Prior to the update, visitors were warned about potential security threats. The NPF had failed to renew the certificate, violating National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) guidelines.

After FIJ’s publication, the SSL was renewed, removing the warning. However, the website still contained outdated contact information for some Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs), listing individuals no longer in office.

11. Bank Unblocks US-Based Nigerian’s Account After FIJ’s Intervention

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) unblocked the account of Nkechi Udum, a Nigerian resident in the United States, following intervention by FIJ. In May, UBA had locked Udum’s account, containing approximately N800,000, citing the need for a Bank Verification Number (BVN). Despite Udum providing the requested BVN and signature, her account remained inaccessible. After FIJ’s involvement, UBA promptly unblocked the account.

12. Kaduna Electric Resolves 17-Day Token Delay After FIJ’s Intervention

Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc. delivered N14,500 worth of prepaid meter tokens to Gabriel Iduh, a Kaduna resident, after failing to send them for 17 days.

Iduh, who purchased N10,000 worth of tokens on July 7 and another N4,500 on July 13, was left in darkness as the company ignored his calls and emails. Following FIJ’s report, a Kaduna Electric official apologized on July 30 and sent the tokens via WhatsApp, enabling Iduh to restore power to his home.

13. Fake Alat By Wema Website Taken Down After FIJ’s Intervention

A fraudulent website, Alatbywema.com, created by a US-based scammer to impersonate Alat By Wema and steal customer information, was suspended after it was exposed by FIJ on August 7

The site, launched on July 30, mirrored Alat By Wema’s platform to phish for sensitive details. FIJ alerted Alat By Wema about the scam, prompting swift action. The fraudulent website was shut down just three days later.

14. Oyo Police Arraign Brothers for Robbery After FIJ Report

Timilehin and Feranmi Sokoya, two brothers who burgled Favour Etunwoke’s apartment in Oyo State and stole three laptops, were prosecuted by the police. They appeared before a magistrate on August 13, 2024, facing charges of conspiracy and robbery committed on May 12.

The arraignment followed FIJ’s report exposing the robbery and subsequent police misconduct.

15. After FIJ’s Story, Ajayi Crowther University Replaces Lecturer Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

In October, Ajayi Crowther University replaced Dr. Adeyinka Adeoye with Dr. Bolanle Sogunro as the Head of its English Department.

This decision follows FIJ’s report exposing the university’s reinstatement of Adeoye, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting students in 2022, and his controversial appointment as department head.

16. Lagos Police Free Shop Owner, Return Stolen Money Following FIJ Report

Peter Oriyomi, a shop owner in Lagos, was released by officers from Ilogbo Elegba police station after an FIJ report exposed his wrongful detention and extortion attempt. Oriyomi and six others were arrested during a police raid in Shibiri, with no charges filed against them. The police confiscated Oriyomi’s cash and initially demanded ₦200,000 for his release, later reducing it to ₦50,000 and his National Identification Number (NIN) slip.

FIJ contacted the Lagos State Police Complaints Response Unit, leading to intervention by Rilwan Kasumu, an officer at the station. Kasumu assured FIJ that no money would be collected and confirmed that Oriyomi was innocent.

After his release, Oriyomi’s daughter, Olamiposi, confirmed that the police returned all confiscated cash.

17. NCoS Suspends Officer Over Role in Papalampa’s Early Release After FIJ Report

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) suspended Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACG) Freedman Ben-Rabbi after an FIJ investigation revealed corruption that allowed artiste manager Papalampa to serve only one night of his one-month prison sentence after being arrested for drug trafficking.Ben-Rabbi, along with Deputy Controller Julius Ogueri, was implicated in enabling Papalampa’s early release from Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

18. After FIJ’s Report, Police and Military Begin Process of Releasing Man Illegally Detained for 13 Years

Habibu Adamu, a man detained illegally by the police and military for 13 years, regained freedom. The military transferred him to a rehabilitation centre in Gombe State, following efforts from the NGO Hope Behind Bars and FIJ’s story.

Adamu, arrested in 2011 on terrorism charges, had been held despite a court order for his release in 2014. After FIJ’s intervention, Adamu’s son confirmed he would be rehabilitated for six months before his release by May 2025.

19. OPay Unfreezes Ibadan Pharmacist’s Account After FIJ Intervenes, Ending 3-Year Block

After FIJ’s intervention, OPay unblocked the account of Babatunde Olayiwola, an Ibadan-based pharmacist, who had faced a three-year restriction on his personal account.Olayiwola had struggled to resolve the issue through OPay’s customer service, even visiting their offices in Ibadan and Lagos, but his account remained frozen despite having no clear explanation.

Following FIJ’s contact with OPay, the company resolved the issue, and Olayiwola was able to use his account again for the first time since 2021.

20. Kogi Lawmaker Settles Content Creator’s N200,000 Debt After FIJ Report

Danladi Aguye, the Kogi lawmaker representing Lokoja Constituency, paid N200,000 to Rayo Akinsowon, the founder of My Times Production, after FIJ published a report about the unpaid debt. Akinsowon had produced a documentary for Aguye, agreeing to a discounted rate of N300,000.

Despite completing the job, Akinsowon was left waiting for over a month for the remaining N200,000 balance. After FIJ’s intervention, Aguye’s team reached out, and the payment was made within 48 hours. Akinsowon had previously struggled to get a response from Aguye’s team.