… Demands retraction, apology from online platform within 48 hours
BENIN CITY – The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly denied allegations that it collected ₦100 million from the Edo State Government ahead of the Edo South Senatorial District primaries, describing the claim as false, malicious and defamatory.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Benin City, the council condemned a publication by an online platform identified as “Standard Daily Press,” which alleged that the union received the money before the senatorial primaries.
The statement, signed by Edo NUJ Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, and Secretary, Andy Egbon, dismissed the allegation as a “criminal lie” allegedly orchestrated to tarnish the image of the union and its leadership.
According to the council, the individual behind the publication is not a practising journalist, nor a registered member of the NUJ.
The union claimed it had verified that the author lacked press accreditation and did not operate within the ethics and standards of journalism, alleging that the publication was the handiwork of “a quack and political hatchet man” using an online platform for blackmail and defamation.
The NUJ maintained that it neither collected, requested nor discussed any financial transaction with the Edo State Government in relation to the Edo South Senatorial primaries, insisting that the allegation was entirely fabricated.
“The allegation is 100 percent false. Edo NUJ did not collect, request, or discuss ₦100 million or any amount from the Edo State Government. We challenge those behind the publication to produce evidence,” the statement said.
The council further described the report as an act of blackmail, rather than journalism, arguing that the publication was intended to intimidate and damage the reputation of a legitimate professional body.
It warned that spreading false information through digital platforms could amount to offences under relevant laws, including provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code.
The Edo NUJ leadership consequently demanded an immediate retraction of the publication and an unreserved public apology to be published across all platforms operated by Standard Daily Press with the same prominence as the original report.
It also demanded the disclosure of the identity of the writer and alleged sponsors of the publication.
The union gave the platform a 48-hour ultimatum to comply with its demands or face legal consequences.
According to the statement, failure to retract the report would compel the union to initiate civil and criminal proceedings for alleged defamation, injurious falsehood and cyberstalking.
The council added that petitions would also be sent to relevant security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Press Council, for investigation and possible prosecution.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical journalism, the Edo NUJ urged members of the public to disregard the allegation, insisting that journalism must remain rooted in facts and professional standards.
The council further disclosed that the national secretariat of the NUJ had been briefed on the matter.