All those who have been peddling false news about the Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) have been told to desist from doing so or face court action, as the AGF did not buy a house for his son in Abuja or fly his parents to Kano for a wedding.
The allegation was refuted by a group, Network Against Cyber Bullying (NACB), in a statement signed by its chairman Adamu Musa and secretary Kesley George and made available to the media on Wednesday.
“The Network Against Cyber Bullying (NACB) has noticed a recent systematic attack on the person of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN). Fake news and unfounded allegations have been circulating on social media. This is coming days after a very top government official was suspended on the recommendation of a committee set up by the president and led by the Attorney General. The very successful Senior Advocate of Nigeria has served our country for so long and shouldn’t be paid back with evil.”
Recent publications online have accused Malami of buying a house worth N300million for his son in a choice location in the city of Abuja, flying his parents to Kano via a chartered flight and having ulterior motives in his displacement of the former chairman of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission Ibrahim Magu but they were all debunked by his office.
The NACB cautioned those peddling fake news and unfounded allegations to “desist from attacking the person and personality” of Malami (SAN) on social and other media platforms.
The network called on those making the allegation to proffer proof, go to court or shut up.
“For instance, who is the vendor of the purported house bought for the son of the Minister in Abuja at N300m? Where is the so-called mansion located in Abuja? Where are the title documents? Malami did not purchase or rent any house for his son in Abuja, because he has no plan to live in Abuja.
“The allegation of hiring private jets for the marriage was preposterous. It is common knowledge that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had neither a father nor mother anywhere in Nigeria to be conveyed to Kano for the wedding. Who, then, is the Attorney General using the chartered flight to convey? Which jets are chartered? Who paid for the charter? How was the money paid?
“The attention of the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, has been drawn to a mischievous, deceitful and perfidious publication by the notorious factory of fake news in Nigeria, the Sahara Reporters with an intent to spread lies.
“It is regrettable that the information communication technology tools have been hijacked by disgruntled elements in spreading fake news and blatant lies.
“The report by these media platforms is a clear violation of ethical journalism practices on verification of facts and authentication of claims. It evinces lack of professionalism and exposes rash and reckless presentation of figment of imaginations shrouded with bigotry and bundled with sentiments of unscrupulous questions.
“Looking at the minister’s response, valid questions were asked and we are sure the peddlers of this deceit do not have the answers.”
The group made a final pitch to Malami to take action and stop the attacks.
“We call on the Attorney General to follow all legal procedures to stop this attack. Enough is enough for peddlers of fake news. Enough is enough for platforms who gain from blackmailing government officials.”
