By Terna Chikpa
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Taraba State has warned SaharaReporters to desist from what it described as blackmail journalism against the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), demanding the retraction of its publications against the agency.
It would be recalled that a social media activist and influencer had written on Facebook alleging that the Executive Secretary of TSEMA, Dr Echuseh Audu, diverted relief materials meant for internally displaced persons.
Audu voluntarily submitted herself to several security agencies for investigation, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The security agencies subsequently invited the activist for questioning, but he reportedly declined to appear until the Nigeria Police Force, Taraba State Command, secured an arrest warrant and arrested him.
The police thereafter charged the suspect to court over alleged false allegations and defamation of character.
The Jalingo Magistrate Court has commenced hearing on the matter, during which the accused was granted bail. The Taraba State Ministry of Justice has also joined the prosecution, while the case has been adjourned until October 13.
The conveners of the coalition, Comrade Job Peter and James Manager, issued the warning on Monday while addressing journalists in Jalingo.
The coalition advised SaharaReporters to produce concrete evidence rather than innuendo in its reports against TSEMA.
“We note with concern the latest SaharaReporters publication on Dr. Echuseh Audu, Executive Secretary, TSEMA, despite the fact that the matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction and is yet to be decided.
“It is settled law that a matter which is sub judice should not be subjected to media trial. SaharaReporters, as usual, has ignored this principle, when the Taraba State Government, through the State Ministry of Justice, is already prosecuting a case against the individual who alleged that Dr. Audu diverted relief materials meant for IDPs and sold them outside the state.
“The report links financial transactions to alleged diversion of relief materials but fails to establish the connection with evidence. We do not defend corruption, but allegations must be proven, not insinuated,” they stated.
The group also urged SaharaReporters to adopt objective and responsible journalism rather than publish subjective reports, and to conduct credible investigations before making allegations.
They further urged the public to disregard what they described as malicious reports against TSEMA and Dr Echuseh Audu, while challenging SaharaReporters to answer the following questions:
“Dr. Audu is not a signatory to the Katuka’s Kitchen account. Therefore, where is the bank mandate or signatory record proving control?
“There is no record of Dr. Audu’s daughter ever being treated at Nizamiye Hospital. Let SaharaReporters publish it if such a record exists and let the public verify.
“SaharaReporters itself earlier admitted that the diversion allegation remained unconfirmed. How can an unconfirmed allegation be used as fact to interpret other transactions, and where is the transaction trail showing proceeds from the alleged sale of rice and oil entering any listed account?
“The ₦12,190,726.80 from the LPRES Draw Down Account to Katuka’s Kitchen was returned in full to the same account. What was the nature of this transaction, and if it was reversed in full, what wrongdoing does it establish?
“Aggregating inflows to ₦49.44m does not prove that they are public funds or part of one scheme. Where is the evidence that these different accounts, sources and purposes constitute one diversion scheme? Can SaharaReporters produce one contract, invoice, authorisation or bank mandate proving diversion?
“What then is the objective of this article, and what exactly is SaharaReporters trying to prove? If it is genuine public-interest or development journalism, why has SaharaReporters never published the extensive humanitarian activities, interventions and relief efforts the agency under Dr. Audu has carried out for displaced and vulnerable communities across Taraba State?
“Is this how Omoyele Sowore, who wants to be President of Nigeria, intends to convince Nigerians, by using his platforms for blackmail? Trial by headline is not journalism. Let the court decide.
“The continued media trial by SaharaReporters against Dr. Audu and TSEMA is not journalism,” they queried.
