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Samoa agreement: FG files complaint against Daily Trust, Ombudsman writes newspaper
Samoa agreement: FG files complaint against Daily Trust, Ombudsman writes newspaper
The federal government has dragged Daily Trust Newspapers before the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the Ombudsman, over its story on the Samoa agreement.
A statement by NMCC on Sunday acknowledged receipt of the federal government’s complaint and added that investigation into the matter had commenced.
The statement was signed by Emeka Izeze and Feyi Smith, chairman and interim secretary of NMCC, respectively.
It said that the federal government’s complaint, dated July 8, was signed by Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, permanent secretary of the federal ministry of information and national orientation, on behalf of the minister, Mohammed Idris.
The government, according to the statement, alleged that on July 4, 2024, Daily Trust newspaper published an article “containing false and misleading information that severely threatens national security”.
The statement said that in the complaint, the government alleged that “on July 4, 2024, Daily Trust newspaper published on its front page, a news item titled ‘LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal”.
“In the report, it said that the government had endorsed a European Union (EU) partnership agreement (referred to as the “Samoa Agreement”), with member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
It said that the agreement was signed “despite some conditional clauses that compel benefiting nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition”.
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The government, according to the statement, described the report by Daily Trust newspaper as “false and misleading”.
It quoted the government as saying that, as a result of the alleged false report, “individuals and government officials have been subjected to hate speech, threats, intimidation, and cyberbullying across social media”.
According to the statement, the government is, therefore, asking the NMCC to intervene in the matter and, among other things, carry out a thorough investigation of the alleged misleading publication;
It also urged the Ombudsman to direct the newspaper’s management to publicly retract and correct the alleged false information, with equal prominence as the original article.
It also urged the NMCC to direct the management of Daily Trust newspaper to issue an unequivocal apology for “allegedly recklessly disseminating false information and implement stricter editorial guidelines to prevent a repeat of such alleged unwholesome report by any newspaper in the future”.
The NMCC said it had sent a formal acknowledgement letter, dated July 10, and signed by its interim secretary, Feyi Smith, to the ministry, informing it that the complaint was receiving the attention of the commission.
It said that the outcome would be duly communicated to the government.
“The management of Daily Trust will be contacted shortly for its response.
“As an independent media regulatory body, it is our duty to promote media adherence to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
“We are also expected to ensure that the media operate in a free and unfettered environment,” the commission said.
It said that in accordance with the mandate and its established procedures, it had commenced an investigation into the government’s allegations.
“We assure the public that our inquiry will be thorough and impartial.
“We look forward to receiving the full cooperation of all parties involved and pledge to continue to ensure transparency throughout this process,” it said.
NMCC is an independent, multi-stakeholder co-regulatory body.
It was established by the Nigerian Press Organisations (NPO), made up of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
It works in collaboration with the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
The NMCC is tasked with providing the public with an independent forum for resolving complaints about the press, resolving all complaints quickly, fairly and free of charge.
It is expected to do so, maintaining high standards of journalism practice, journalistic ethics and defending the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know.
Samoa agreement: FG files complaint against Daily Trust, Ombudsman writes newspaper
News
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
Nigerian deportees from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrived in the country, as revealed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The deportees, numbering 400, were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday.
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Sharing information about the arrival on X, the aforementioned news platform penned: “Four hundred Nigerians, including 90 females and 310 males, have been deported from the United Arab Emirates back to Nigeria.
“They were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders.”
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
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Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace, aiming to reinforce diplomatic ties and partnerships between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to presidential aide Segun Dada, the discussions centered on deepening the long-standing relationship between both nations.
This visit marks the second time President Tinubu and King Charles have met, following their initial encounter in November 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, UAE.
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While specific details of their discussions were not disclosed, the ongoing engagement between Nigeria and the UK underscores shared interests in addressing global challenges and fostering economic development.
This high-level interaction reflects the importance both countries place on collaboration in areas such as trade, climate action, and international diplomacy.
Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
News
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
A Nigerian citizen, has been found guilty of aiding in an attempt to defraud a North Dakota law firm through false digital transfers. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, between November and December of 2020, Christopher Agbaje, along with others, purported to be a business owner in a legal dispute with a Bismarck company, and entered into a fake attorney-client relationship with the firm. After a series of false statements and promises, the firm received a parcel containing a fraudulent Citibank check payable in the amount of $198,850.00, which was deposited in their bank account. At the purported business owner’s request, the firm then sent a $198,336.68 wire transfer to Agbaje’s business partner.
After the transfer, Agbaje directed his partner to initiate a fake $180,000 international transfer to conceal the money’s location, ownership, and control. Upon hearing that law enforcement officers were actively conducting a fraud investigation on the transfer, he reportedly instructed his business partner to “gain leverage”, “press on”, and “claim naivety.”
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Agbaje was originally extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota in February 2024, where he faced five different charges. While he was cleared of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud in May, the suspect was also found guilty of Money Laundering, Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud, and Aiding and Abetting Mail Fraud.On September 11, Agbaje was sentenced to 142 months in prison, and must pay the firm $188,935.74 in restitution.“This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice,” United States Attorney Mac Schneider said. “When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo.”
“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that no fraud scheme is beyond the reach of justice, no matter its complexity or scope,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Those who engage in fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and decisive action. The FBI will continue to work with partners across the globe to protect the financial security of the American people from those who seek to exploit it.”
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
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