An opportunity has now presented itself to curb media irresponsibility, at least within the responsible orthodox media sector. Should an apology stop Vice President Osinbajo from dealing very decisively with the media and the two characters involved in this nasty episode?
If this NONSENSE ends here, then this nonsense will never END here.
References:
1. SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
RETRACTION OF STORY
“On our website publication of Monday, September 23, 2019, we published a story titled “N 90 Bn FIRS Election Fund: Osinbajo’s problem, not 2023 politics.” We have since discovered that the story lacks factual substance and we hereby retract it in its entirety We tender our profound apology to Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on whom the story touches directly the All Progressives Congress, A.P.C. and the FIRS for any inconvenience or embarrassment the publication has occasioned them. We hold Professor Osinbajo, S.A.N. in the highest esteem.”
Editor, Vanguard, September 25, 2019
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/retraction-apology-to-vp-yemi-osinbajo/
2. SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO THREATENS LEGAL ACTION
“In the past few days, a spate of reckless and malicious falsehoods have (sic) been peddled in the media against me by a group of malicious individuals. The defamatory and misleading assertions invented by this clique have been making the social media rounds anonymously,” Mr. Osinbajo said.
“I have today instructed the commencement of legal action against two individuals, one Timi Frank and another Katch Ononuju, who have put their names to these odious falsehoods.
“I will waive my constitutional immunity to enable the most robust adjudication of these claims of libel and malicious falsehood,”
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/354419-osinbajo-talks-tough-vows-to-waive-immunity-to-fight-falsehood.html
3. ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
THE ACTUAL STORY
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/n90bn-firs-election-fund-osinbajos-problem-not-2023-politics-%E2%80%95-frank/
“ALLEGED N90BN FIRS ELECTION FUND OSINBAJO’S PROBLEM, NOT 2023 POLITICS ― FRANK”
By Victor Ogunyinka
A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has said the ongoing travails of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is allegedly due to corruption which has nothing to do with 2023 politics.
Timi Frank revealed through a statement on Monday in Abuja that he has reliable information from his sources in the presidency to the effect that Osinbajo’s travail has nothing to do with 2023 but alleged mismanagement of about N90 billion Naira released by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to prosecute the last general elections in favour of the APC.
“Buhari asked for a breakdown of how the money was spent and he said he gave N11 billion to Lagos state APC leader but when the said national leader and one former APC chairman were invited for an explanation, it was confirmed that Osinbajo gave only N5billion and not N11billion to Lagos state. “The cabal is asking to know how come they beat PDP in the South-west with less than 60,000 votes if the money was actually spent in the strategic states of the South-west as allegedly claimed.”
The activist insisted that if the information is true, Osinbajo must resign his position as Vice President, adding that such is akin to the characteristics of ‘yahoo boys.’ Frank said since the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki is being held on allegations of embezzlement while Osinbajo is also allegedly being accused of embezzlement, “they should be given the same treatment.” He added:
“This goes to confirm the NEMA case against Osinbajo concerning the N5billion that he was alleged to have siphoned. “The ball is in Gen Buhari’s court to show Nigerians that he supports corruption from his cabinet members and do nothing or he is indeed truly fighting corruption and therefore force him to resign. “No wonder the fight against corruption under this administration is not yielding positive results as expected.” Frank wondered why Osinbajo would always be the first to brand people like Bukola Saraki and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan with corruption “whereas he is the chairman of ‘yahoo yahoo’ in Nigeria.
“How do we expect the ‘yahoo boys’ to change when the VP is their chairman? Nigerians must not feel sorry for Osibanjo as the time to pay for his yahoo yahoo activities has come. While calling on Nigerians to ignore the claim that Osinbajo is being witch-hunted by the cabal, Frank said: “If Osinbajo is investigated, Nigerians will be shocked to find more revelation about his activities. “If he fails to resign, the National Assembly must begin the process of impeachment against him as a matter of urgency to prove to Nigerians that 9th Assembly is not a rubber stamp of the executive.
“Finally, I call on Osinbajo to immediately apologise to God for his ‘yahoo yahoo’ behaviour and repent otherwise he will be disgraced out of office.”
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/n90bn-firs-election-fund-osinbajos-problem-not-2023-politics-%E2%80%95-frank/
FOR THE RECORD.
I don’t know the law but I’m thinking ahead of the court what kind of punishment the law should give to these two. Reports should be balanced, even in a village square it is so.
Arrant nonsense, it should be dealt with decisively…
Timing Frank should be taught a lesson that he will not forget in his life time because of this reckless accusation.
When an apology is not an apology. What is the meaning of ‘factual substance’? It could mean that there is some substance to the story but can’t be backed up with facts. The VP should press on with his suit.
So bad.. Mtcheew 🤒🤒🤒
In a country that has laws and lawyers; where “anything goes” and lawyers defend “nonsence”, who will uphold the law? These nonesence will not pass by us but into us if it is not dealt with. Nigeria we hail thee…