By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Kogi State Government has urged the media to uphold the ethics of responsible journalism by verifying facts before rushing to publish sensational headlines.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo in Lokoja and a copy available to The Reporters on Friday.
Fanwo, whose statement centres on what he described as wild allegations against the State Government,said that media practitioners must be prepared to defend their facts against the government and the citizens,reminding them that others have the right to defend their own integrity.
The Commissioner ,whose statement is titled on”DEFAMATION CASE: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON ABDULHAMID DEFLOWER BOY” writes:”The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to a series of misleading narratives being circulated on social media regarding the arrest and ongoing prosecution of one Abdulhamid Deflowerboy, who authored and published a clearly defamatory post against the Government of Kogi State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the State Government followed due legal process by petitioning the Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and invite the individual in question to prove his allegations. Upon invitation, Abdulhamid voluntarily appeared before law enforcement and confessed to being the author of the defamatory publication. He was thereafter charged to court and remanded by a competent court of jurisdiction. Claims that he is being detained without trial are false, baseless, and intended to mislead the public.
” Defamation is a criminal offense in Nigeria, not an expression of free speech. It has the potential to destroy reputations built over decades and plunge innocent individuals into disrepute. Sadly, Abdulhamid allowed himself to be used by disgruntled political elements; who remain bitter over Governor Ododo’s bold decision to prioritize the welfare of the people above the personal interests of a few.
“These individuals, who once benefited from politics of patronage, now struggle to accept the new era of governance where public funds are used for public good.
“This administration, under His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has earned the trust of the people through massive investments in road construction, school and hospital infrastructure, erosion control, agriculture, power supply, bursaries, and free education as well as the welfare of the civil servants and pensioners. Kogites are seeing and feeling the impact of government. The noise of a few cannot drown the applause of the Kogi people.
“It is unfortunate that despite the administration’s aggressive efforts to empower youth through ICT, education, agriculture, and enterprise, some still choose to be willing tools in the hands of desperate political actors. The case of Abdulhamid is not different from that of Austin Okai, who also faced the consequences of his actions but later tendered a public apology and was forgiven after pleas from elders and community leaders. Justice must never be based on ethnic considerations. To ask that Abdulhamid be released because he shares ethnic ties with the Governor is to insult the principles of fairness and equality before the law. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
“Even more tragic is the fact that Abdulhamid has now been abandoned by those who instigated him. This should serve as a cautionary tale to other young people that those who fund and encourage wrongdoing in secret will never stand with you in the face of the law.
“The Government of Kogi State remains committed to defending the integrity and image of the State and her people. This case will run its full legal course. We have chosen to speak out in order to clarify the facts and ensure that members of the public are not misled into defending wrongdoing out of ignorance or emotion.
“We urge the media to uphold the ethics of responsible journalism by verifying facts before rushing to publish sensational headlines. Let it be known that when you make wild allegations against the State Government, you must be prepared to defend them, and others have the right to defend their own integrity.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
