Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters, was arrested on Wednesday over a N1.7 billion national security fund money laundering allegation made against Lekan Fatodu, publisher of Checkout International Magazine, reports say.
Police detectives attached to Area F police command in Ikeja, Lagos, arrested Sowore over alleged blackmail, criminal defamation and threat to the life and career of Mr. Fatodu, who is based in London, United Kingdom.
The Lagos State police command public relations officer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmos, while reportedly confirming the arrest, said Sowore posted an allegation on his site, where he accused Fatodu of money laundering.
It was alleged that Saharareporters further indicted Fatodu of assisting Nigerian politicians in moving money out of the country.
However, a senior police officer at ‘Area F’ police command in Ikeja disclosed off record that Sowore was arrested at his house in Lagos based on a tip-off and subsequently moved to Area F.
Fatodu in his twitter post on Facebook and Twitter post Wednesday wrote: “BREAKING! I just got Sowore Omoyele of Saharareporters arrested for criminal defamation and blackmail and threat to my life and career.
I’m sure you guys will remember how Sowore lied against me that I was used as a front to receive 1.7 billion naira of the National Security funds. My refusal to agree to Sowore’s criminal demands and cut from the fictitious money made him to viciously attack my personality on his website.
And imagine this is someone I’ve known and I’ve been assisting for almost 20 years. We are still at the police station, and hopefully we ‘ll be going to the court soon.”
it was not clear, as at the time of filing this report, whether Sowore has been released on bail as the Lagos command’s PPRO could not be reached for clarification.
Photo: Naijagists