PRESS RELEASE
NPAN And N120 Million Compensation:
Our Position
The Management of The Sun Publishing Limited has considered the
public outcry and diverse controversies generated among media houses, the
Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the public over the
N120 million paid by the Goodluck Jonathan administration as compensation to
newspaper companies for the unlawful seizure of their newspapers and stoppage
of circulation by armed soldiers in several cities across the country in June
2014.
1.
After the unlawful action of the
military, to which The Sun lost millions of naira, we had signified the intention
to commence litigation against the Federal Government along with other
affected newspaper companies.
2. However, at the level of the NPAN, which The Sun is a member, a decision was collectively taken to accept the Presidency’s offer of peaceful settlement in place of litigation in the interest of peace and national security.
2. However, at the level of the NPAN, which The Sun is a member, a decision was collectively taken to accept the Presidency’s offer of peaceful settlement in place of litigation in the interest of peace and national security.
2.
We were later informed of the payment
of N120 million compensation out of which the sum of N9 million was paid to
The Sun Management by the NPAN.
3.
At the time the compensation was paid,
we had no inkling whatsoever under which expenditure sub-head in the
Presidency the fund was sourced and that it was allegedly part of the funds
meant for the purchase of arms.
4.
As a very responsible newspaper
organization, which places premium on ethics, individual and corporate
integrity, we are certainly embarrassed by the turn of events and the
unfortunate insinuation of involvement in the illegal sharing of the nation’s
commonwealth and the feasting on the blood of soldiers fighting the war against
insurgency.
5.
We believe strongly in our corporate
integrity and principles of fairness and social justice, which have driven our
business considerations over the years.
6.
In the light of the foregoing, we have
returned the cheque of N9 million to the NPAN for onward transmission to the
source through which it came.
7.
We have seen that the good intention
not to seek redress in court has seemingly backfired.
8.
We have also given notice to our
lawyers to immediately commence the process in court to redress the huge loss
suffered through the actions of the military.
9.
We assure our teeming readers of our
commitment to serving them faithfully and conscientiously by upholding the
time-tested principles of fair business ethics, equity and social justice.
Signed
Eric Osagie
Managing Director/Editor-in- Chief,
I am eagerly awaiting what St Buhari will do with to NPAN Chairman and all the other newspapers who benefited from the N120 million.
ReplyDeletePresident Buhari is yet to fully explain his role in the arms deal. Dasuki has accused him of receiving $300, 000 and 5 SUVs from the fund, but the denial he has issued so far is very weak. Dasuki should back his claims with evidence and let the breeze blow and we will see all the hidden murkiness of ultra hypocrites masquarading as saints
ReplyDeleteWhat is Mr. Femi Adesina's side of this story. He is now the special adviser to Mr. Buhari on media, yet he was the MD of SUN when this money was given. Now, what is his own defense? In saner societies he would have put in his resignation papers since the scandal broke as he has been too morally bruised to be speaking for a so-called anti-corruption regime.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting is the involvement of Daily Trust and THE NATION in this scandal. THE NATION, especially, led the onslaught against GEJ, and it is owned by the national leader the APC, so how can one explain this? While ferociously attacking GEJ, it goes by night to benefit from his regime
ReplyDeleteThis thing get as e be-ooo!!! Buhari has got more than he bargained for. He has found out it is much more easy to talk than to perform
ReplyDelete