Hadiza Usman Bala
HighlightTrending Story

Rash of aspersions, media attacks: Usman threatens legal action against Sahara Reporters

328

 

The suspended Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, has raised the alarm that an online newspaper has launched ceaseless attacks and campaign of calumny against her person.

Usman noted that the publication — Sahara Reporters — has continued “to spread false and rehashed stories directed at maligning my personality and casting aspersions on her reputation and service to the nation. 

She threatened to take legal action against Sahara Reporters if the publications continue.

In a statement entitled, “On Sahara Reporters’ campaign of calumny’’ and signed by her made available to Persecondnews, Usman said: “Now, it must be obvious to all Nigerians of good conscience that Sahara Reporters is sworn to a ceaseless campaign of calumny against my person.

“This, they do in total disregard of all rebuttals, which would have been needless but for the need to maintain my personal integrity and that of my family.

“Over the past two weeks, the publication has continued to spread false and rehashed stories directed at maligning my personality and casting aspersions on my reputation and service to the nation. This, they do in total disregard of all rebuttals, which would have been needless but for the need to maintain my personal integrity and that of my family.

“On Thursday May 20, 2021, Sahara Reporters published a story with the headline:“Budget report indicts ex-NPA boss, Usman shows unapproved N831million spent on hotels in 2016,2017.” 

“This story shows the relentless war that the publication is waging against my personality for reasons best known to them. The fact is that the NPA has its audited financial statements for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. These statements have the authentic figures of 
the Authority’s expenditure over those years.  

“However, rather than seek the authentic statements, Sahara Reporters have depended on snapshots of documents that are 
unauthenticated, apparently because they fit the already concocted and devious narratives that they love to sell to the public.’’

Usman said Sahara Reporters Television had earlier in the day on Thursday, released the video of a building with the title, “Alleged Zaria edifice built by Hadiza Bala Usman while in office as MD of Nigerian Ports Authority.” 

Describing the story as total falsehood, and a pathetic reflection of what Sahara Reporters has become, Usman stated: “I challenge the publication to produce any document that links me with this building.

“More importantly, it is time to serve notice on Sahara Reporters and its cohorts to desist from publishing unfounded stories targeted at tarnishing my image.  I have chosen to maintain a calm mien to this consistent falsehood, conscious of the demand of accountability, which national service places on me. 

“However, there is always a limit to which one can endure this needless perpetuation of falsehood.I will take legal action against SaharaReporters if it continues in this manner.’’

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG Dismisses Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan’s Allegations

The Federal Government has officially denied allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a...

US congressman drops bombshell, accuses USAID of funneling taxpayers’ money to Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaeda

A stunning revelation has rocked international circles as American Republican Congressman Scott...

African Union Launches Landmark Credit Rating Agency to Promote Regional Economic Integration

The African Union has taken a significant step towards promoting economic resilience...

UNIZIK expels student for assaulting lecturer

For allegedly assaulting a lecturer, authorities of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik),...

Military chiefs’ visa denial: Canada declines comment, cites privacy concerns

The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has acknowledged media reports concerning the...

FG approves 150 medical personnel for correctional centres nationwide

In a bid to boost healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s correctional centres, the...

Ex-Abia Attorney General, Ihediwa, Regains SAN Title After 7-Month LPPC’s Suspension

Seven months after his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was withdrawn, the...

2Baba’s family petitions DSS over singer’s mysterious disappearance amid marital issues

…I’m not engaged to him, she fires back The ongoing marital crisis...

Russia, Nigeria Set for Historic Friendly Match

The Russian Football Union (RFU) has announced that the country’s men’s national...

Pres. Tinubu Arrives in Ethiopia for 38th AU Summit

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday night to...

FCT President Cup: EFCC FC, Galadima FC, FWC FC, N-Youth Academy Secure Semifinal Spots

The stage is set for the semifinals of the FCT President Cup,...

Southwest Governors Move to Establish Joint Security Outfit to Counter Rising Banditry, Insurgency Threats

Amid rising concerns over the renewed spate of banditry and insurgency in...

Abiodun’s Investment Drive: Ogun to host West Africa’s largest cotton and apparel industry, targets 40,000 jobs

The biggest cotton and apparel industry in West Africa, with a capacity...

Fire ravages 7-Storey Lagos building, leaving trail of destruction

A devastating fire swept through a seven-storey commercial building located in the...

FCT Police, Military Join Forces to Neutralize Deadly Abuja Armed Robbery Gangs

A collaborative effort between the FCT Police Command, military personnel, and local...

Just in: Nigeria’s Green Chamber to observe February 13 as Murtala Mohammed Day

Exactly 49 years after his assassination, former Military Head of State, the...

Edo gov. poll tribunal: APC closes case after calling four witnesses

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has closed its defence in the ongoing...

Flying Eagles Set for Tough Africa U20 Cup of Nations Campaign

Seven-time winners, Nigeria, face a tough test after being drawn into Group...

Court strikes out Police’s defamation suit against Farotimi

Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun of the Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ado...

Grammy-Winning Artist Tems Makes History as First Nigerian Co-Owner of US Soccer Club

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi a.k.a Tems, has joined MLS side San...