By; BASHIR BELLO DOLLARS, Abuja
The Patriots for Advancement of Peace and Social Development has said that it is alarmed by the sensational report in the Saturday Vanguard Newspaper of 28th September 2024, with a headline, “Banditry Allegation: Court okays suit to compel FG to probe ex-Gov Matawalle” written by Ikechukwu Nnochiri without stating the specific court and Judge that purportedly heard the matter and “okay” it.
The group expressed this in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi
(Wamban Shinkafi), made available to newsmen on Sunday September 29, 2024.
“Initially, we ignored this sensational headline as a deliberate fake news calculated to mislead the public on national security by a reputable newspaper like Vanguard.
“The suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and it has not been assigned to any judge, not mentioned, heard, and determined by the court. Yet Vanguard newspaper published that “Court okays” the suit.
“It was Professor Kabir Danladi who said that a case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined until the pronouncement of the court. The presumption of innocence is applicable to all defendants.
“Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. In the determination of his civil rights and obligations including any question or determination by or against any government or authority a person shall be entitled to fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such a manner as to secure its independence and impartiality,” the statement said.
It stressed that it is unfortunate that only Vanguard Newspaper engaged in a despicable media trial of this matter with its misleading headline which political opponents of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence capitalised on to spread fake news and falsehood against him in the discharge of his national duty.
“We challenged Vanguard Newspaper to publish the court proceedings and enrolled court order where this suit was “okay,” the name of the judge, court number, and defendants’ counsel.
“We urge the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Guide of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and media ombudsman, National Media Complaint Commission to thoroughly investigate this sensational headline and impose appropriate sanction as a deterrent against fake news.
“Already, the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies are investigating the sponsors of banditry in the North West. We have no doubt that the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle will be exonerated from these obvious frivolous, spurious and wide allegations by failed politicians who are intimidated by his rising profile as an outstanding minister of the Federal Republic and loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is evident that the allegations and suit were sponsored by his political opponents in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hoping he would be dropped in the proposed cabinet reshuffled by Mr. President on Independence Day. No doubt President Tinubu is aware of their political intrigues and will not sacrifice his outstanding minister for his opponents’ inordinate political ambition that stagnated the nation from 1999 to 2015. PDP was in power.
” More importantly, Matawalle’s towering influence in Zamfara State politics is astonishing, hence the plot to pull him down by all means.
“It is time to stop media trial and propaganda against highly esteemed public office holders like Matawalle.
“We urge the Honourable Minister to remain focused in the quest for a strong, virile, united, progressive, equitable, and just democratic nation,” the statement said.
