LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande has criticized attempts by the police to intimidate journalists following reports by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on smuggling abuses within the Nigerian Customs Service.
Akande expressed concern over the potential damage to President Bola Tinubu’s democratic reputation
Akande spoke on his weekly program “Inside Sources With Laolu Akande,” on Channels Television on Friday.
The report which is a documentary by the Founder/Editor in Chief of FIJ, Fisayo Soyombo last month, detailing allegations of public trust abuses and involvement in smuggling by Customs officials, has caused the Nigeria Police to summon several board members of the media organization for questioning regarding their work.
The FIJ and Soyombo are suspected to be targeted due to their undercover report revealing extensive smuggling activities across Nigeria’s borders, involving Ibrahim Egungbohun Dende, also known as IBD Dende.
In response to the FIJ’s report, IBD Dende petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that the FIJ’s investigation aimed to tarnish his character and negatively impact his businesses both in Nigeria and abroad.
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Akande, in the opening segment of the show, titled: āMy Take,ā said: āWho will tell the President that instead of an investigation into an allegation of smuggling by known people that has been reported by journalists, especially the Foundation of Investigative Journalism, what we see is an attempt to criminalise journalism.
āInstead of our authorities to investigate such allegations that are already reported publicly, what we are being told is that there are petitions against journalists.
āWho will tell the President the attempt to intimidate the press is not in Nigeriaās best interest and that it creates a poor reflection of a president that we all know is a true democrat.
āGoing after himā¦ is not the best way to go.
āWho will tell the President that all these are happening under his watch and it does have implications for his legacies,ā Akande added.
The former presidential aide in the remarks, titled: āWho will tell the President,ā also called the attention of the President to the resumption of the suspended Social Investment Programmes, which was suspended in January.
He then directed the President’s attention to the investigative report concerning the suspended Minister of Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
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He said: āHow long will it take for a decision to be taken on the report of the EFCC?
āAnd how long will it take to have a substantive Minister in that Ministry?
āOr has the President approved the idea to move some of the programmes to the Ministry of Finance?ā
Akande, recognized for his advocacy for democratic values and human rights, highlighted the crucial role of the press in promoting transparency, accountability, and democracy.
Here are his exact words from the televised program on Friday: āAnd here is my take for this week entitled: āWho will tell the President?ā
āThere are things that the public are interested in but seems not to be getting the due attention of the President. At least there is no communication about these things.
āFor instance, the restoration of social investment programme.
āOver a Month ago, it was announced that it would resume urgently even as an emergency, it is now April and it has not been restored.
āWho will tell the president?
āSpecifically in February, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said restarting the direct cash transfer was crucial to tackling rising food prices, especially elevated food prices, and governmentās ability to providing purchasing power to at least 60 million people who are less well-of.
Has this been done already?
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āWho will tell the president that these things need to be properly communicated for his own good? So that he can build trust with Nigerians.
āWho will tell the president that investigation of the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs, Betta Edu is taking too long?
āHow long will it take to take a decision on the EFCC report on the suspended minister?
āAnd how long will it take to have a substantive minister named back to that ministry. Or has the President approved the idea to move some of the programmes to the Ministry of Finance?
āWho will tell the president that the Emergency Economic Intervention Bill is still lying fallow on someoneās desk somewhere?
āThis is a bill that codifies some of the tax reforms proposal from the presidentās tax reform committee alongside other urgent economic measures. When is that bill going to be sent to the National Assembly? Members of the National Assembly are saying that they have had no movement on this bill since November. Who will tell the President?
āWho will tell the president that now that the CBN is able to get the naira to some stability, it is time to tax luxury items that are being imported and cut off our heavy importation so that we can save the naira, so that we can spend less on foreign exchange?
āIndia did something similar when Mahatma Ghandi said āif India cannot feed herself let India starve, if India cannot clothe herself let India go naked.ā
āIt was at a time when India was facing such a crisis as we are facing now in Nigeria. Tough times demand tough decisions.
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āWho will tell the president that it is time to take a tough decision on our taste for ostentatious imported materials? If it is not a medical emergency product, shouldnāt we suspend or at least discourage this kind of importation so that we can save and conserve forex?
āWho will tell the President that instead of an investigation into an allegation of smuggling by known people that has been reported by journalists, especially the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, what we see is an attempt to criminalise journalism?
āInstead of our authorities to investigate allegations already reported publicly, what we are being told is that there are petitions against the journalist?
āWho will tell the President that this attempts to intimidate the press is not good for Nigeriaās image and creates a poor reflection on a president we all know is a true democrat?
āWho will tell the president that instead of encouraging civic engagement by young people, including the type that Fisayo Soyombo is representing by raising issues that has to do with the economic welfare of the Nigerian people, positive youth engagements are being discouraged by these attempts which are distorted reality.