Fake news saga: we’ll allow the law take it’s full course – Kogi Govt

By Akadiri Ademola

The Kogi State Government has responded to the recent apology by one Nienpamo Saint-Onitsha, publisher of Naijalive.com who confessed to operatives of the Department of State Security in Bayelsa State to have published a story alleging Governor Bello to have erected and equipped a shattered tent isolation center with 7 billion naira.

In the State Government’s response, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr. Onogwu Muhammed on Thursday noted that the case was already in court and government would allow the law to take its full course

He noted that the case was between the culprit and the state noting that there are clearly stated positions of the law on such matters of concern.

Mr. Muhammed mentioned that the story which the culprit confessed to be unverified was not just against the person of the governor but also the State and the people.

The CPS pointed out that Kogi State as an interested party in the case would not engage in any act that is outside the provisions of the law affirming that an overlook of the current offence might give further room for other quack journalists to parade more damaging false reports.

He asserted that the publisher’s action were totally against the core basic ethics of journalism which included fairness, truthfulness, accuracy and public accountability pointing out that it was unfortunate that every writer who have access to the public also regarded themselves as journalist.

The Governor’s aide noted that the profession of Journalism was sacred and those that practice it should always aim at avoiding chaos which could be caused by inciting reportage.

He opined that as at a time the globe was united against the covid-19 pandemic such false allegation was not just damaging to the person of the State Governor, but also the Government.

The Governor’s spokesperson urged journalist irrespective of the medium to always adhere to professional ethics of the job asserting that citizens should always verify the authenticity of information on the social media space before reading or circulating.