OGUN NUJ OFFICIALS PROBE: EFCC HQ DRAWN INTO ROW
.... NUJ Zone B alleges bias after 25 invitations over petition by unknown group
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has asked the EFCC headquarters to step into the probe of its Ogun State Council. The union says the way the Ibadan zonal office is handling the case is not fair.
The NUJ Zone B covers Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. Its leaders spoke in a communiqué after a meeting at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat.
The union said the EFCC Ibadan office is investigating a petition said to be written by a group called “The Patriot.” The NUJ said the group’s identity and members are unknown.
The union alleged that Ogun NUJ officials were profiled, harassed and put under mental pressure. It said the officials honored EFCC invitations, opened the council’s financial records and answered questions about 25 times.
The NUJ also raised concerns about an EFCC officer identified as Mr. Bashir, Head of the Economic Governance Unit. It said he reportedly claimed he had finished his preliminary report before interviewing the Ogun NUJ Chairman. The union described this as bias and prejudgment.
Another key issue: the NUJ questioned why the EFCC Ibadan office is handling the matter at all. It argued that Ogun State falls under the EFCC’s Lagos II Zonal Directorate.
The union called on EFCC leadership to intervene urgently, ensure a fair probe and stop further harassment of the officials.
The NUJ said no person or organisation is above the law. But it insisted that investigations must be based on evidence, fair and respectful of human rights. It said if there is enough evidence, the EFCC should go to court instead of giving prolonged invitations and intimidating journalists.
The union also stressed that the NUJ is not a financial institution, company, government agency or contractor. It said the union does not receive statutory subventions or allocations. It survives on voluntary contributions and support from individuals, groups, governments and corporate organisations. It said its legitimate financial and administrative activities should not be interfered with under the guise of investigation.
For now, the NUJ’s message is simple: investigate, but do it fairly, in the right office and without turning journalists into targets.
