Monday 4 January 2016

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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