Opinion

Media Trial: Judging A Book by Its Cover

Published

12 months ago

January 11, 2024

By Abdurrahman Abubakar

Judging a book by the cover most at times gives a bad deduction. The thorough read might have made one understands it better. It is similar with jumping into conclusion on allegations against fraud, mismanagement of public funds in Nigeria by anti-graft agencies like EFCC, ICPC, without a patience wait to the end of the investigations and found someone guilty or otherwise by the competent court of law.

Nigeria practices democracy and the rule of law is supreme; hence the fundamental human rights of any persons being investigated should be respected and dignity be maintained. It is pertinent to note that the way and manner news filtered around on allegations on fraud, mismanagement, fraudulent intent should be cautious especially on social media that sometimes the headlines are scary.

A reference of the case of former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for corruption allegations back in 2019. Later the EFCC filed a corruption charges, which includes Malabu oil scandals, money laundering, among others.

Nearly three years later, (2022) the court in England and Wales ruled that there was no evidence of fraud in the transfer of proceeds from the sale of OPL. 245 in the Malabu oil deal. Only God knows the kind of trauma the former Attorney General Mohammed Adoke SAN passed through during the case and supposedly media trial on the Malabu oil deal case.

Why do people rush to deduce that persons under investigations are criminals, looters? They are suspects of fraud, until the competent court of law finds them guilty.

Media trial should be relegated and focus on the happenings surrounding the investigations; making updates, until the competent court found the suspect guilty or otherwise.

The recent happenings at the EFCC is another case study, though with a different outlook. Initially, Halima Shehu the Coordinator of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA) was suspended by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and immediately after the suspension a huge allegation was labelled against her of moving N44 billion from the NSIPA account to some suspicious accounts within the last four days of December, 2023.

Several headlines largely on social media and online media on her appearance at the EFCC that she had committed an offence and with fraudulent intent.

For the case of Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation who was suspended confirmed that the leak memo of seeking transfer of N585m to personal account was from her and had claimed that the N585m payment was meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, describing the allegations against her as baseless.
The Media Assistant to the Minister, Rasheed Olarenwaju, said in a statement that it was legal within the civil service for such payments to be made into private accounts of staff members, especially project accountants. The rules of engagement of the civil servants has prohibited transfers to personal accounts from the government coffers. May be the Media aid is ignorant of this postulation. Though, the law says ignorant of the law is not an excuse.

Despite the fact that she had admitted that the memo was from her but still the case is under investigation, no one could judge but the competent court of law.

Another case of a contractor Mr. James Okwete, was arrested by the EFCC to investigate an allegation of N37 billion fraud. There was no any report from the EFCC or its spokesman that stated that the contractor has a link with the former Minister Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk but some cross section of largely social media suggested that the former Minister has a link with the contractor whom she denied even meeting or knowing him; to the extent of suggesting even how the money was spend and transferred. All these were attributed to the sources not the EFCC spokesman or its chairman.

According to the former Minister’s comment Sadiya Umar Farouk, “There have been a number of reports linking me to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the activities of one James Okwete, someone completely unknown to me. James Okwete neither worked for, nor represented me in any way whatsoever. The linkages and associations to my person are spurious,” she said.
“While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my Legal Team to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my person.”

Another media trial suggested that the former Minister Sadiya Umar Farouk shunned the invitation by the EFCC; but the EFCC spokesman refuted that and further explains why she is not at the headquarters at the first day expected.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said that the former minister had sent a letter explaining her inability to attend due to health challenges.

“She did not decline the EFCC’s invitation; she provided reasons for her absence. Furthermore, her lawyer visited the commission to explain why she couldn’t attend,” the EFCC spokesman said.

The Former Humanitarian Minister during President Muhammadu Buhari, Sadiya Umar Farouk was at the EFCC headquarters for nearly 12 hours answering questions on clarification about the allegations against a contractor and some agencies under her watch then.

Though, there were headlines that said she was arrested and detained which is another episode of media trial.

No doubt, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be commended and has done the needful by suspending the head of the National Social Investment Program (NSIPA) Halim Shehu and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, this is to allow the investigations go unhindered and uninterrupted.

In another episode of media trial back in 2020, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk was accused of hiding the covid-19 palliatives meant for the poor. The media then was dominated with different kind of headlines in that regards, especially the new media.

Until the End SAR’s protest that triggered youth to break the stores in some states that’s when Nigerians realized that the former Minister, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk is innocent; had never hide any palliatives meant for the poor. After the story broke out, she had forgiven those that alleged that she hides palliatives.

“I am aware many people have made various spurious allegations and accusations against my person and my ministry over the way we distributed Federal Government palliatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19. “Now that they have realized their mistakes, l will only pray to God to forgive us all,” she maintained.

Several persons had passed through similar routes, some convicted others appeared not guilty and freed by the competent court of law.

Note that nobody should be spared of investigation if there is an allegation against him or her; but their rights of hearing and dignity should be respected and only competent court of law could find someone guilty of a financial crime or any other crime.

The point here is, don’t judge the book by its cover, hence, media trial should be ignored till the allegation against any public office holder was proven by the competent court of law.

Abdulrahman Abubakar is a freelance journalist in Kano and could be reached at No 14 Sharada Opposite Kwanar Freedom.

Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

6 days ago

December 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.