Media Trial, Mark Of
Tyrannical Democracy
The attention of the
Office of the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh has
been drawn to a report on the Monday, January 4, 2016 edition of the Nation Newspapers,
suggesting that the National Publicity Secretary is under investigation by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This office wishes to state
categorically that the EFCC has never invited the National Publicity Secretary nor
questioned him on any matter whatsoever since its inception.
If indeed, the report is
from the EFCC, then they should note that only in a period of tyranny are
people investigated on the pages of the newspapers as a prelude for abuse and
violation of their freedom and rights under the law.
It is instructive to
observe that a mere media campaign of calumny does not in anyway whatsoever
translate to any evidence of guilt. It is rather an evidence of infringement on
the rights of the citizenry and manifestation of the reign of tyranny.
In a democratic and
civilized country, where there are issues that require investigations by such
agencies, invitations are duly extended. However, to read daily of people being
investigated in select newspapers betrays plots to portray them as guilty of
fraud and crime, and targeted to convey the PDP as a corrupt party and the APC
as party of Nigerians without sin.
If we now have a system
where citizens get to be investigated, tried and executed by planting stories
in select newspapers, wherein then lies the need for our judicial process?
Finally, we do hope that
all concerned will be guided by due process at all times.
Signed:
Richard Ihediwa
Special Assistant To
PDP National Publicity Secretary
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