...apologizes and seeks forgiveness from Tinubu’s Chief of Staff

Following the controversy generated by the manner of arrest of the online publisher of Firstnewsonline, Mr. Segun Olatunji by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) on Friday, March 15, 2024, more details have emerged on the incident, which many media unions have strongly condemned.

Mr. Olatunji had stated during an emergency press conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and International Press Institute (IPI, Nigeria) that his detention by the DIA was in relation to stories he published on the Head of DIA and another story on the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

On January 29, 2024, Olatunji wrote a story titled, “How Gbajabiamila attempted to corner $30bn, 66 Houses Special Investigator traced to Sabiu.”

After the outburst of Olatunji at the press conference of the media unions, another sister online tabloid, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), interviewed him on his experience in detention and re-published the Gbajabiamila story that might have put Olatunji in trouble.

More details linking the travails of Mr. Olatunji to the Gbajabiamila’s story have now emerged. Further investigation revealed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila wrote a letter to all security agencies to fish out the sponsors of defamatory publications against him for prosecution.

A copy of similar letter published by the media on 31st January, 2024, Mr. Gbajabiamila said: “over the past six months, unknown individuals or groups have made a sustained effort using social media to spread unfounded allegation of corruption, malfeasance, and abuse of office against my person. This campaign of calumny has gotten progressively more aggressive in tone and content over the last month, thus necessitating this letter”.

A report sighted by our correspondent further revealed that the Defence Intelligence Agency relied on one of its powers “to execute any other tasks that may be assigned to it by higher superior authority in defence of the federal government or any of its agents,” in investigating Mr. Olatunji.

The report established the culpability of Mr. Olatunji Segun for cybercrime, including cyberbullying and cyber defamation of character of a government official.

“Olatunji in his written statement and audio confession claimed he was contracted to publish the Gbajabiamila story by one Mr. Rotimi Williams with phone number 08033207090, Mr. Olatunji and Mr. Rotimi Williams were formerly staff at the PUNCH, Olatunji said that Rotimi lives in Abuja and now a media consultant.

“Since December 2023, Mr. Rotimi Williams has been communicating with Mr. Olatunji regarding the allegations against the Chief of Staff. Rotimi claimed he had sources both in the presidency and in the special investigation team led by one Jim Obazee, which is investigating former P.A to President Buhari. On the 24th of January, 2024, Mr. Rotimi allegedly confirmed to Mr. Olatunji to go ahead and publish news about Gbajabiamila. Thereafter, on 29th January, 2024, Olatunji went ahead to publish the story “.

“Mr. Olatunji further confirmed Mr. Rotimi Williams paid him 170,000 Naira for his effort to publish the news and give stipends to other online publishers, which Olatunji allegedly confirmed he syndicated the story to: newscontact.com.ng (Yinka), horizontimes.ng.com (Sulaimon Fasasi), platformtimes.com.ng (Daud Olatunji), thedailycrucible.ng.com (Earnest), salienttimesonline.com.ng (Abiodun Taiwo), theencounter.com.ng (Michael Azeez), trustafricanews.com.ng (Ayo Otitoju),”

The report further cites the written apology note by Mr. Segun Olatunji of Firstnewsonline wherein he was said to have apologised and sought forgiveness from the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila for publishing the defaming story alleging that Gbajabiamila wanted to divert $30B.

He stated his regret for relying on the pressure to publish from Mr. Rotimi Williams, a media consultant who claimed to him that his sponsors are in the presidency and the Special Investigator, Obazee team. The efforts to get Mr. Rotimi Williams were said to have been unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the online publisher, Mr. Segun Olatunji is said to be found culpable of infractions under the cyber crime Act. There are indications that the DIA might have shared its findings with sister security agencies for possible prosecution.

Recall that the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, SERAP, International Press Institute and Media Right Agenda in a joint press statement issued on 22nd of April, 2024 confirmed that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) requested a meeting with media organisations to clarify the incident that led to the detention of the online publisher, Mr. Segun Olatunji.

The statement said, in part, “the military authorities said they acted to forestall a potential threat to national security and would have reported the National Media Complaints Commission – the National media ombudsman – if they had been aware of its existence. After considering this disposition towards the Ombudsman, the NPO, BON and the civil society partners have decided, after reviewing the outcome of the April 14 meeting, to refer the matter to the ombudsman for adjudication."

The media ombudsman is saddled with the responsibility to investigate complaints of unethical practices against Nigerian media practitioners. Again, the media organisations condemned the militarisation of the civic space on civil issues that should be handled by civil authorities.

https://leaders.ng/2024/04/29/i-was-contracted-to-write-false-story-against-gbajabiamila-online-publisher/

Greased palm

Source please?
I listened to this man's narratives on TV where he narrated the cruel treatment meted on him and how God helped him to be released.

Why would he do that though? Is he trying to malign the person of the COS for selfish purposes?

Yeah right

Government of propaganda

Congratulations

Money don exchange hand

The man has refuted the allegations!

Noted.

WINDSOW:
Source please?
I listened to this man's narratives on TV where he narrated the cruel treatment meted on him and how God helped him to be released.

In the interview that was aired on Sunday (Channel), he said he was forced to write both confessionary statement and apology letter.

Why did NIA, wait for him to talk on television before they released/leaked his statement/apology letter?

Why don't they sue him, for deformation if they so sure, the accusation is 100% false?

People feed there family in different ways.

Na for your pocket. No disturb us abeg. Next...

That's all what they do. They are plenty in Nairaland cooking up stories against innocent Nigerians.

ignorance is no excuse in law!this man should simply be JAILED!!

So, the condemnation by the media unions was not specifically about Mr. Olatunji receiving money to publish a story. Instead, it was focused on the maltreatment of Mr. Olatunji and the inappropriate intervention of the military in what is perceived as a civil matter. The people that did this story are trying to create the impression that the media unions condemned Mr. Olatunji, which is misleading.

The characterization of Mr. Olatunji's press conference as an "outburst" and his subsequent interview with FIJ as resistance to honesty… like how does that not suggests a bias against him?? Again, this person who is probably also sponsored to portray the Chief of Staff as the victim and Mr. Olatunji as the antagonist that has peddled falsehoods and received money to tarnish the Chief of Staff's reputation- didn’t do a great job to hide their bias and intent.

So, there is mention of a written statement and confession by Mr. Olatunji, but no attribution to their sources. Is it the confessions obtained under duress while Mr. Olatunji was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency or if there is another confession after his press conference- why not clarify Again, it is the former, the lack of clarity is a continuation in the biased presentation of the matter.

What for, including Mr. Rotimi Williams' contact information what context The only context or justification is that it is about them potentially subjecting him to harassment. The people who wrote this article had no valid reason for including his phone number in the article. Just some cyber harassment and cyber bullying of the individual.

That said, the possibility exist that Mr. Rotimi gave money to Mr. Olatunji as a concerned citizen interested in upholding accountability, and creating an agenda, to bring about this, but no, they want us to assume nefarious intent. Investigate journalism are oft paid for. It is the intent that is the matter. The article could suggest Mr Rotimi’s interest in the matter- is he in the service of someone who would such allegations to find another chief of staff for the presidency If this is the matter, then more reason to look at what is alleged against him.

Wouldn’t it be a more balanced perspective if statements from the Obazee investigation team exonerating the Chief of Staff from the allegations were included

If there is, and know that the chief of staff and DIA could easily obtain these, then it would be included in these poor attempt to launder images.

Whoever wrote nonsense to damage others integrity should be sent to jail to teach others the necessary lesson

They are many.

The headquarters is the blogs and vlogs owned by the obedients

Gbaja wey Tinubu don remove tey tey...whether u write good or bad about him.
The koko be say,his involvement in corruption has made Baba Tinubu to keep him away from his govt.

Betta Edu can explain better.

ibechris:
Gbaja wey Tinubu don remove tey tey...whether u write good or bad about him.
The koko be say,his involvement in corruption has made Baba Tinubu to keep him away from his govt.

Betta Edu can explain better.

How can corruption fight corruption?

Disgraceful! Only 170k to write malicious reports about the COS. This guy must be really hungry

COMRADES, because of this, Gbajabiamila now will feel demigod, a kind of; I'm somebody very important since a journalist would be bribed to assassinate my character bla bla bla

Fiscus105:



In the interview that was aired on Sunday (Channel), he said he was forced to write both confessionary statement and apology letter.

Why did NIA, wait for him to talk on television before they released/leaked his statement/apology letter?

Why don't they sue him, for deformation if they so sure, the accusation is 100% false?

I listened to this man's interview and all the shenagigans of DIA and the so called superior power. If Gbaja asked them to fish out the writer of the alleged false narratives for prosecution , did he also asked them to extract confessional statement which was ehtirely dictated by the DIA officials.
They ransacked his phones and extracted the name that are calling his accomplice. Wjy were they so much intetest on who his informer is. Any sensible person should no why; what happens in Las vegas should remain in Las vega.
Handcuffed tightly from Friday night to Monday. Locked up in dark dungeon? Only saw light the day he was released by a road side. He would still have been in the dungeon if not for the noise made about it. The agency even initially denied of his custody.

He was arrested in a gestapo style and also released in a gestapo style.

Nigeria is a Gestapo country believe it or not. Until it happens to you enjoy your time.

This is a very sad development.

Can this repair the damage the person of Gbajabiamila suffered

Na wa for our journalists

why should the DSS be involved in this silly issue. why is this a CRIME?

if gbajabiamilla is not happy, he should take the reporters to court. the way the legislators abuse this cyber crime act is something else.

What's the name of the contractor(s). Nigerians are always good at speaking without communicating. For several years, we have been hearing of cabal. Till date, those blaming cabals cannot mention any specific individual. Go with your contract

NewsNet:
...apologizes and seeks forgiveness from Tinubu’s Chief of Staff

https://leaders.ng/2024/04/29/i-was-contracted-to-write-false-story-against-gbajabiamila-online-publisher/

NewsNet:
...apologizes and seeks forgiveness from Tinubu’s Chief of Staff


After the outburst of Olatunji at the press conference of the media unions, another sister online tabloid, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), interviewed him on his experience in detention and re-published the Gbajabiamila story that might have put Olatunji in trouble.

More details linking the travails of Mr. Olatunji to the Gbajabiamila’s story have now emerged. Further investigation revealed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila wrote a letter to all security agencies to fish out the sponsors of defamatory publications against him for prosecution.

A copy of similar letter published by the media on 31st January, 2024, Mr. Gbajabiamila said: “over the past six months, unknown individuals or groups have made a sustained effort using social media to spread unfounded allegation of corruption, malfeasance, and abuse of office against my person. This campaign of calumny has gotten progressively more aggressive in tone and content over the last month, thus necessitating this letter”.

A report sighted by our correspondent further revealed that the Defence Intelligence Agency relied on one of its powers “to execute any other tasks that may be assigned to it by higher superior authority in defence of the federal government or any of its agents,” in investigating Mr. Olatunji.

The report established the culpability of Mr. Olatunji Segun for cybercrime, including cyberbullying and cyber defamation of character of a government official.

“Olatunji in his written statement and audio confession claimed he was contracted to publish the Gbajabiamila story by one Mr. Rotimi Williams with phone number 08033207090, Mr. Olatunji and Mr. Rotimi Williams were formerly staff at the PUNCH, Olatunji said that Rotimi lives in Abuja and now a media consultant.

“Since December 2023, Mr. Rotimi Williams has been communicating with Mr. Olatunji regarding the allegations against the Chief of Staff. Rotimi claimed he had sources both in the presidency and in the special investigation team led by one Jim Obazee, which is investigating former P.A to President Buhari. On the 24th of January, 2024, Mr. Rotimi allegedly confirmed to Mr. Olatunji to go ahead and publish news about Gbajabiamila. Thereafter, on 29th January, 2024, Olatunji went ahead to publish the story “.

“Mr. Olatunji further confirmed Mr. Rotimi Williams paid him 170,000 Naira for his effort to publish the news and give stipends to other online publishers, which Olatunji allegedly confirmed he syndicated the story to: newscontact.com.ng (Yinka), horizontimes.ng.com (Sulaimon Fasasi), platformtimes.com.ng (Daud Olatunji), thedailycrucible.ng.com (Earnest), salienttimesonline.com.ng (Abiodun Taiwo), theencounter.com.ng (Michael Azeez), trustafricanews.com.ng (Ayo Otitoju),”

The report further cites the written apology note by Mr. Segun Olatunji of Firstnewsonline wherein he was said to have apologised and sought forgiveness from the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila for publishing the defaming story alleging that Gbajabiamila wanted to divert $30B.

He stated his regret for relying on the pressure to publish from Mr. Rotimi Williams, a media consultant who claimed to him that his sponsors are in the presidency and the Special Investigator, Obazee team. The efforts to get Mr. Rotimi Williams were said to have been unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the online publisher, Mr. Segun Olatunji is said to be found culpable of infractions under the cyber crime Act. There are indications that the DIA might have shared its findings with sister security agencies for possible prosecution.

Recall that the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, SERAP, International Press Institute and Media Right Agenda in a joint press statement issued on 22nd of April, 2024 confirmed that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) requested a meeting with media organisations to clarify the incident that led to the detention of the online publisher, Mr. Segun Olatunji.

https://leaders.ng/2024/04/29/i-was-contracted-to-write-false-story-against-gbajabiamila-online-publisher/

Criminal defamation of character is HIGHLY unacceptable and those who engage in it to mislead the largely gullible and impressionable public MUST be brought to justice through a competent court of law.