A British-Nigerian doctor popularly known online as #OurFavOnlineDoc has criticised the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) over reports accusing him of rape and wrongful detention, denouncing the publications as a malicious and likely sponsored attack intended to destroy his reputation.

Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, a British-Nigerian physician issued a detailed rebuttal on X, following the release of two FIJ articles on 14 and 15 September. The reports alleged that in 2020 he intoxicated his former partner, Bola Aseyan, and sexually assaulted her, and later orchestrated her arrest and mistreatment by police in Lagos State.

In a thread posted on Sunday, Ogunsanya accused FIJ of denying him a fair opportunity to present his full account, unlike his accuser, whom he labelled a “false accuser” and “blackmailer”.

“FIJ basically wrote a whole series of articles almost completely on the unilateral narration of one side in a matter that involves two people,” he wrote, describing the coverage as not an investigation but a hit piece aimed at mercilessly ruining my reputation.

The doctor recounted his dealings with FIJ, claiming that a journalist sent him nine “maliciously curated questions” a week before publication, which he perceived as biased and hostile.

He shared screenshots of the email, calling the queries proof of the blatant bias and wicked nature of the reporting. He insisted that unlike Aseyan, he was never permitted to narrate the “whole story from start to finish”, and suggested the journalist was “heavily compromised” with the intent to publish a defamatory account.

Ogunsanya said he contacted FIJ founder and editor-in-chief Fisayo Soyombo after receiving the questions, warning him of a potential “hit job” that could damage the outlet’s reputation.

He presented evidence of unanswered messages sent a week before publication, claiming Soyombo only responded after the first article appeared and had spread widely online. During a subsequent call, Soyombo allegedly denied seeing the messages, emphasised that the article had passed editorial checks, and promised a follow-up that, according to Ogunsanya, never materialised.

When he could not reach Soyombo, Ogunsanya said he turned to a deputy at FIJ. He shared chats in which the deputy defended the report, promised a call while claiming to be on the road, but failed to follow up despite being told about the alleged bias and blackmail. “This is a blackmail hit job,” Ogunsanya wrote, warning that the publication would “soil the reputation of FIJ”.

He added that his lawyer had submitted detailed responses to FIJ’s questions, despite viewing them as an “ambush” for a one-sided report. But he declined to release those answers publicly, saying he wanted first to gauge the scope of what he described as a “calculated evil defamation campaign”. He urged the public to recognise the articles as rooted in a “jaundiced narration” from one side, cautioning against FIJ’s potential future claims of fairness.

The controversy stems from a 2020 episode in which Aseyan, then a UK-based doctor, accused Ogunsanya of sexual assault in Lagos. FIJ’s investigation cited her earlier social media posts alleging manipulation and detailed her subsequent detention by Nigerian police, allegedly at his request. Ogunsanya has consistently denied the accusations, pointing to inquiries by UK authorities and a Nigerian court that he says cleared him, though FIJ’s articles suggested otherwise.

Soyombo responded on Monday with his own counter-statement, releasing screenshots to show FIJ had contacted Ogunsanya via email and WhatsApp on 6 September, inviting him to provide “any additional information”. He accused the physician of lying about being denied a right of reply, branding him a “conman, patent liar and broad-daylight manipulator”.

Ogunsanya retorted by insisting the questions were “wickedly curated” and insufficient for a full narrative, and accused Soyombo of telling “barefaced lies” in defence of what he described as “gutter stinking journalism”.

The dispute has ignited a debate across social media, with Ogunsanya’s supporters questioning FIJ’s impartiality while others defended the outlet’s investigative track record.

Ogunsanya meanwhile has previously been involved in online controversies, including defending himself against earlier accusations. FIJ, noted for exposing corruption and rights abuses, has not issued any further statement beyond Soyombo’s response.

As of press time, the FIJ articles remained online with no indication of retraction.