“Silent Courage: Phillips Olukunle Fatade’s Battle Against Threats and Persecution”

Mr Phillips Olukunle Fatade,a former employee of Infiniti System Enterprises based in Lagos, Nigeria. The organization served as a Consultant on Revenue Matters to the Osun State government in Nigeria for 12 years.

His role provided and enabled him access to highly sensitive financial data, including detailed records of government revenues, expenditures, taxpayers information and other classified documents critical to the state’s fiscal, monetary policies and operations.

In May 2024, Mr Phillips said he received a phone call that changed his entire life completely. The caller unknown to him, claimed to work for the current administration, informed him that he was aware of his privileged access to sensitive government data.

He demanded he released the data at his disposal to him, suggesting it was necessary for the progress and continuity of the current administration which he didn’t oblige, knowing fully and understanding the legal, ethical and personal implication and risks it would pose sharing such sensitive information. For a while, he thought the matter had simmered down but in September 2024 he received another call from the same individual.

This time, his tone was menacing, he revealed that one of his former colleagues, who had access to similar sensitive information had been killed. He then issued a direct threat to his life stating that he would face the same fate and consequences that befell his colleague if he did not comply with his demands.

He said his tone thundered with a dark promise, the threats no longer hidden but boldly declared. “He boldly and confidently said “You have nowhere to turn for help.”
At that moment, it dawned on him the gravity of the situation at hand that his life was in imminent and immediate danger.

Fearing for his safety, some of his intimate friends intervened as they made urgent arrangements to hide him, moving from one location to another to evade those who were haunting him. These constant relocations coupled with the ever-present fear of being discovered, left him deeply traumatized.

The mental strain became unbearable, and he sank into a state of severe depression.

The situation escalated when his home was attacked as Intruders broke in, ransacked the property, and destroyed majority of his belongings in a desperate attempt to find the sensitive data they believed he had.

This violent invasion was a stark reminder of the lengths these individuals were willing to go to obtain the information.

His nuclear family went into hiding and currently does not know their current location as he is in the dark. The anguish of being separated from his loved ones, coupled with the fear that they may still be in danger has been unbearable.

He is a victim of threats, intimidation, and his life remains in constant danger as those who targeted him have shown their willingness to harm anyone in pursuit of their desired goals.