Lawal Umar Maradun, PPS and Media Aide to former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle has demanded retraction and apology from the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Tribune over alleged publication on the social media that Matewalle had been declared wanted by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Maladun made the demand in a press statement made available on Sunday to newsmen.
“We demand an immediate retraction of that falsehood and an apology from the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Tribune.
“If this demand is not met within three (3) working days, we shall seek legal redress on the aforementioned libelous matter.
Maradun disclosed that mischievous story was contained in an article published by Nigerian Tribune online on 18th June 2023, falsely claiming that the EFCC had declared Bello Matawalle wanted.
“It is important to clarify that this information is entirely baseless and a product of misinformation that has no traceable source.
“The EFCC as a reputable law enforcement Agency follows due process in its operations and does not engage in such haphazard or arbitrary declarations of individuals as wanted without concrete evidence and legal procedures. It is essential for media outlets to verify the accuracy of their reports before publishing them, particularly when the reports involve sensitive matters such as legal actions against public figures,” Maradun explained.
According to the Aide, Bello Matawalle had been around in the country and has not been declared wanted by any credible authority.
“This false information not only tarnishes the reputation of Matawalle but also undermines the credibility of the medium responsible for publishing the false story and journalism as a profession,” he said.
He further noted that the EFCC itself had already responded to the false publication in its press release clarifying that, the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency, including the DSS, to effect his arrest.
“We, therefore, urge the media to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and impartiality when reporting their news items to avoid misleading the public.
