 |
| First News Apologizes to Gbajabiamila as Editor Resigns Over Alleged $30bn Loot |
The management of First News, an online newspaper, has issued an apology to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, regarding a news story published on January 29, 2024.
The article, titled How Gbajabiamila Attempted to Corner $30bn: 66 Houses Traced to Sabiu," was authored by the editor, Mr. Segun Olatunji.
In a statement released yesterday, First News management acknowledged that the article contained falsehoods and fabricated information, which they received from a misleading source. They expressed deep regret for this oversight and extended an unreserved apology to Gbajabiamila.
"As a responsible media organization, we wish to state categorically that we have no malicious intent towards the person of the Chief of Staff to the President or his office. Hence, our decision to tender an unreserved apology and the need to publish a retraction of the said story," the statement read.
Meanwhile, the General Editor of First News, Olatunji, has tendered his resignation, citing concerns for his safety and that of his family. In his resignation letter, Olatunji expressed confidence that the truth would eventually emerge, emphasizing his commitment to defending his integrity in the face of any allegations.
He also urged the management of First News to promptly settle the outstanding one-year salary owed to him.
Olatunji's situation took a dramatic turn when he was arrested and detained in an underground cell by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Earlier reports indicated that he was abducted from his home in Lagos State in March, leading to condemnation from the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), and the International Press Institute (IPI).
Source, Daily Trust
