There is no such thing as a fact to the declare that the Chairperson of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) of the opposition Labour Occasion (LP), Sen. Nenadi Usman, returned N140 million in looted funds to the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC).
LP members underneath the aegis of the Core Social Democrat (CSD) within the South-South issued an announcement on Tuesday in Abuja, faulting a report by Sahara Reporters that Usman allegedly returned N140 million out of N2.5 billion obtained from the workplace of the previous Nationwide Safety Adviser (NSA) forward of the 2015 presidential ballot.
Led by Mr Eric Ifere, the group described the report within the on-line publication as not solely false and unfounded but additionally defamatory.
Sen. Usman, appointed to guide the 29-member CTC of the Labour Occasion on September 4 throughout an prolonged stakeholders’ assembly held in Umuahia, Abia State, was mandated to rescue the get together from its present management disaster and organise a conference to elect new get together management inside 90 days.
Nonetheless, Sahara Reporters, in a narrative printed on September 6, alleged that the ex-minister, who was appointed to guide the LP CTC, “is at the moment being prosecuted in varied courts for alleged monetary fraud.”
The net media mentioned: “It had additionally been reported that Senator Usman returned N140 million out of the N2.5 billion allegedly obtained from the workplace of the previous Nationwide Safety Adviser forward of the 2015 Presidential elections.
“As well as, the previous senator, who served because the Director of Finance for the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) Presidential Marketing campaign Organisation, surrendered two of her homes to the Federal Authorities as a situation for her launch from the custody of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC).”
In response to the report, Ifere burdened the unfairness of the scenario.
“We, the Core Social Democrat members of the Labour Occasion of Nigeria within the South-South, have seen the malicious lies perpetrated by Sahara Reporters in opposition to our newly appointed chairman of the caretaker committee of the Labour Occasion, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman.
“We be aware that Sahara Reporters’ publication of September 6, 2024, stating that Senator Usman returned N140 million out of the N2.5 billion allegedly obtained from the workplace of the previous Nationwide Safety Adviser forward of the 2015 Presidential elections and additional surrendered two of her homes to the Federal Authorities as a situation for her launch from the custody of the EFCC, is fake, unfounded, and malicious,” he mentioned.
The lawyer, who additionally made an authorized true copy of the judgement of the Attraction Court docket sitting in Lagos obtainable to the media, mentioned: “Senator Nenadi Usman’s costs on the Federal Excessive Court docket, Lagos, have been quashed by the Court docket of Attraction sitting in Lagos, presided over by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi JCA of Lagos Division, on April 20, 2023, in Attraction NO CA/L/CR/541/2021.
“It’s inappropriate for Sahara Reporters to insinuate guilt in opposition to her when the Court docket of Attraction quashed the costs in opposition to her.”
In keeping with Ifere, it is usually essential to appropriate the misinformation unfold by Sahara Reporters, as there isn’t any proof to help their declare that Senator Nenadi Usman returned any funds or properties to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria in reference to any legal trial.
“This unjust assault on her character is a grave concern to us and all who worth democracy and justice.
“The narrative propagated by Sahara Reporters to tarnish Senator Nenadi Usman’s repute is baseless and lacks proof.
“It’s an unfair assault on her character. From the start, it has been a groundless fabrication, and we staunchly uphold Senator Nenadi Usman’s innocence till confirmed responsible by a courtroom of competent jurisdiction,” he mentioned.
The CSD chief mentioned the sheer lack of foundation for these allegations ought to reassure all who uphold equity and justice of Usman’s integrity.
“The deliberate misrepresentation of details and the creation of false narratives by Sahara Reporters to serve their hidden agenda is a breach of the belief of journalists to uphold the code of accuracy and requirements for factual reporting.
“We imagine that Sahara Reporters’ motive for such overblown lies was instigated by their irritating intentions to derail the Labour Occasion’s mission to organise right into a formidable pressure and opposition within the forthcoming elections as desired by Nigerians who’re on the lookout for a purposeful authorities to free them from the starvation clutches of the current authorities.
“It is a important stain on journalism and a direct assault on democracy,” he mentioned.
He mentioned LP, as a political entity, is dedicated to justice and equity.
“We stand by Senator Nenadi Usman on this unjust assault on her character,” he mentioned.
In keeping with him, by their false story, Sahara Reporters misled readers into believing that Senator Nenadi had acknowledged legal legal responsibility in any alleged costs purportedly by refunding sums of cash and homes to the Federal Authorities, which she denies.
He mentioned such unfounded allegations might severely injury her repute and hinder her skill to serve successfully in her political position.
Moreover, Ifere mentioned the report got here even when an Attraction Court docket sitting in Lagos State had quashed the costs filed in opposition to Usman earlier than the Federal Excessive Court docket, Lagos.
“We’re deeply disillusioned by Sahara Reporters, a media outlet that claims to uphold democracy and justice.
“The fabrication of such false tales, seemingly with none justifiable cause or maliciously sponsored by enemies of the Labour Occasion, breaches the belief of Sahara Reporters as journalists.
“This disheartening revelation undermines the credibility of Sahara Reporters and the media. The frustration of their actions is profound, a sentiment that we imagine is shared by many and underscores the gravity of the scenario.
“In conclusion, we reiterate our demand that Sahara Reporters retract the defamatory story and challenge a public apology instantly.
“This isn’t only a request however a requirement that carries important weight.
“Failure to take action might end in authorized motion from Senator Nenadi Usman, which might injury the repute of Sahara Reporters and incur important prices.
“We urge Sahara Reporters to behave responsibly and proper the grave injustice they’ve performed to Senator Nenadi’s repute with out additional delay.
“It is a matter of justice and equity that we, because the Labour Occasion, are dedicated to uphold,” he mentioned.
