The Patriots for Peace and Social Development has said that is alarmed by the “sensational” reportage in a major newspaper, which was published on 28 September 2024. According to the group, the story did not state the specific court and judge that purportedly heard the matter of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, and “okay” it. Matawalle is the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State.
In a statement by its executive director, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the group explained that “initially we ignored this sensational headline as a deliberate fake news calculated to mislead the public on national security by (the) reputable newspaper.
“The suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, it has not been assigned to any judge, not mentioned, heard and determined by the court. Yet (the) newspaper published that ‘Court okays’ the suit”.
Skinkafi asserted that “it was Prof. Kabir Danladi who said that a case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined, until the pronouncement of the court. The presumption of innocence is applicable to all defendants.
He maintained that “Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
The statement added: “In the determination of his civil rights and obligations including any question or determination by or against any government or authority a person shall be entitled to fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such a manner as to secure its independence and impartiality.
“It is unfortunate that only (the) newspaper engaged in a despicable media trial of this matter with its misleading headline which political opponents of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence capitalised on to spread fake news and falsehood against him in the discharge of his national duty.
“We challenge (the) newspaper to publish the court proceedings and enrolled court order where this suit was ‘okay’, the name of the judge, Court number and defendants’ counsel.
“We urge the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Guide of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and media ombudsman, National Media Complaint Commission to thoroughly investigate this sensational headline and impose appropriate sanction as a deterrent against fake news.
“Already the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies are investigating the sponsors of banditry in the North West. We have no doubt that the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle will be exonerated from these obvious frivolous, spurious and wide allegations by failed politicians who are intimidated by his rising profile as an outstanding minister of the Federal Republic and loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
The traditional title holder further said: “It is evident that the allegations and suit were sponsored by his (Matawalle’s) political opponents in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hoping he will be dropped in the proposed cabinet reshuffle by Mr. President on Independence Day.
“No doubt President Tinubu is aware of their political intrigues and will not sacrifice his outstanding minister for his opponents’ inordinate political ambition that stagnated the nation from 1999 to 2015 PDP was in power”.
Shinkafi said that Matawalle’s towering influence in Zamfara State politics is astonishing hence the plot to pull him down by all means.
“It is time to stop media trial and propaganda against highly esteemed public office holders like Matawalle.
“We urge the Honourable Minister to remain focused in the quest for a strong, virile, united, progressive, equitable and just democratic nation”.
