The Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria (CCSGATN), has asked the Federal Government to sanction Sahara Reporters over its incessant fake and biased reportage in the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, the Convener and the Secretary of the coalition, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, and Barrister John Atani, said the government need to caution Sahara Reporters over its series of media attacks against the Nigerian Army, especially the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai.
Odeyemi and Atani said, “The latest attack published last week by the online platform with the title, “How Ex-Army Chief Buratai Used a Nigerian Army Property Firm to Obtain Saudi Citizenship; Major General in Charge Secretly Detained for One Year to Cover Up His Money Laundering Schemes,” showed that the Sahara Reporters will never change in reporting fake news and misinformation.
“The Nigerian Army through her spokesperson, Brigadier Onyeama Chukwu, has dismissed the fake news saying that the military has the constitutional powers to carry out the ongoing court martial process of Major General UM Mohammed, former Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), who was indicted by a military police investigation and recommended for trial.
“We, therefore, urge the federal government and all media regulatory bodies in Nigeria to as a matter of urgency sanction the online media platform, over its incessant fake and biased reportage.
“The smear and fabricated tale from the online platform was part of the sponsored grand plot to tarnish the image and years of meritorious service of Gen. Buratai to his fatherland.
“General Buratai is a patriot and a man of integrity, who has and is still serving Nigeria without any blemish despite the risks and ridicules his services are fetching him on a daily basis.
“The publication smacks deliberate falsehood and misinformation, adding that the Online Media has again reinforced its position as the leading fake news purveyor in the country.
“As the Army chief, General Buratai operated an open book on his assets despite futile efforts by his detractors to use assets he had garnered over the years against him.
“We want agencies of the federal government and relevant professional bodies in charge of online publications to make proactive steps to regulate and sanction online medium and bloggers who are already emboldened with falsehood and biased reportage. While we acknowledge that some of them are running errands for certain criminals in the corridors of power, we, however, believe that nobody should be above the law.
“This is another in the series of blind hatred for a patriotic and upright man. With no clear evidence, pictures, videos, and other verification means from the Online Media to prove its concocted lies, it is clear that there was no N1.85 billion found anywhere or linked to Ambassador Buratai.
“It is another petty and malicious gang up against the Army chief who wrote his name in gold, especially in the fight against insurgency. It is a hatchet job and we advise that the former COAS takes a legal route to bring this medium to justice.”
