PRESS STATEMENT 30TH MARCH 2008
OHAKIM LONDON QUIZ HOAX BURDEN OF PROOF
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties {CNPP} was down cast when we
read in the Tribune of last sunday, 23rd of March, that a South East
Governor was arrested in London over money laundering, two days later we
were further refreshed by Leadership, that the EFCC and the Presidency
are already on top of the situation.
The story unfortunately came at a very bad time to meet the truama of
citizenry in darkness, bewildered by how monies meant to provide
electricity to them were fleeced off and how money for their medicare
was shared as christmas gifts to predators.
The following day, giving the weight of such allegation, the
spokesperson of the British High Commission, Mr James Mclaughlin
said--'I can confirm to you that we have done all necessary checks and
there was no such incident'. In the same vain, the spokesperson of the
EFCC,Mr Osita Nwajah said--'The Commission wishes to state that no such
security report was issued by us on Governor Ikedi Ohakim and no such
report was sent to any law enforcement agency within or outside Nigeria,
with intention to arrest or detain Governor Ohakim.'
Our concern is premised on the cold fact that since the past nine years
the image of Nigeria has been constantly battered and our rating
internationally has been very low, following monumental corruption that
has become the directive principle of state policy. Our foreign policy
objective accordingly has been violently violated and all efforts to
attract direct foreign investment has remained a mirage.
We are witnesses to the gallant role Nigerian media is playing in the
tortous struggle to deepen and sustain our nascent demoracy. To the
extent that nobody any longer uses the dresive phrase Lagos-Ibadan
press. The media has remained one of the pillars that cushion the slide
of our democracy into fascism, is it the 3rd Term battle or the crass
corruption that nearly tore the country apart?
CNPP consequently challenges the newspapers that raised what turned out
to be a hoax, to go the extra mile to confirm their story as the burden
of proof rest squarely on the their shoulders ,otherwise best
professional ethical practice demands retraction of the story.
Osita Okechukwu
National Publicity Secretary
CNPP
08039738870