President Tinubu has never asked me to lie, arrest or harass journalists
President Tinubu has never asked me to lie, arrest or harass journalists
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu never asked him to lie, arrest or harass any journalist because of unconstructive criticism and reportage.
Idris stated this while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its General Secretary, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, and Deputy President, Mr Sebastian Abu, in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, in spite of negative criticism and alleged defamation of character by some journalists and members of the public, the President had never given him a marching order to arrest or harass anyone.
“There are times when the media instigate tension, but Tinubu never urged me to alter the narrative, lie, arrest or harass the perpetrators.
“This is because the President is a true democrat who respects the rule of law. Also, the Federal Government believes that it cannot operate without the media, which is the fourth estate of the realm.
“We used to have some individuals who would want to go overboard, but I have always engaged the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NGE, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria and others on issues that are brought to my attention.
“I have always said that when we do good praise us, and when we are not doing well or going overboard, tell us constructively so that we can improve.”
He said that the Tinubu administration is media friendly and will continue to be, and therefore the media should not use isolated incidents to conclude that the government wants to gag the press.
The Minister noted that Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom led to the establishment of the Media Literacy Centre (MIL) at the National Open Unity in Abuja by UNESCO.
According to Idris, the country has passed the hurdles and is now at the final ratification stage of Nigeria getting the host.
“This is a great achievement, because when established, the MIL Centre will bring stakeholders from across the globe to Nigeria.
“This will enhance media literacy in our country and checkmate the spread of fake new and issues of misinformation and disinformation in the country and the world at large,” Idris said. (NAN)
News
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
News
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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