By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned what it described as a false and malicious publication by an online platform, Standard Daily Press, alleging that the union received ₦100 million from the Edo State Government ahead of the Edo South Senatorial primaries.
In a statement signed by Council Chairman, Festus Alenkhe, and Secretary, Andy Egbon, the union dismissed the allegation as “a criminal lie” allegedly orchestrated by individuals it described as non-journalists operating a blackmail outfit.
The council stated that investigations revealed that the author of the report is neither a registered member of the NUJ nor an accredited journalist operating within the ethics and standards of the profession.
According to the statement, the publication was fabricated to tarnish the image of the union and settle political scores.
“The allegation is 100 per cent false. Edo NUJ did not collect, request, or discuss ₦100 million or any amount whatsoever from the Edo State Government,” the statement said.
The union challenged the publishers to provide evidence to substantiate the claim, insisting that the report was entirely fabricated.
Describing the publication as an act of blackmail rather than journalism, the NUJ maintained that the dissemination of false information intended to intimidate or damage the reputation of individuals and organisations amounts to criminal conduct under relevant laws, including the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code.
The Edo NUJ 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.
The union also called for the disclosure of the identity of the writer and sponsors of the publication within 48 hours.
It warned that failure to comply would result in civil and criminal legal action for defamation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking, adding that petitions would also be submitted to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Press Council for investigation and possible prosecution.
The council further stated that the national secretariat of the NUJ had been briefed on the development and urged members of