A ruling last week shows what voluntary media accountability looks like. No such thing exists for large digital platforms.
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BAGANBAZAR GRAPHSource-attributed newsWORLD deskZamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has confirmed his opposition to the activities of the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. DAILY POST reports that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, under the aegis of the Progressive Governors Forum, had distanced themselves from the coalition, arguing that its activities could jeopardise the political ambitions of some members of the party. Wike subsequently hit back at the governors, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, accusing them of being politically lazy. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lawal said Wike must clarify where his political allegiance lies. The governor said the issue would be brought to the attention of President Bola Tinubu upon his return from his working vacation in France. “I’m part of that mission, and our message is very, very clear: be on one side. You can’t be on two sides,” the governor stated. According to him, it is unacceptable for the minister to be on the side of the ruling party while still supporting candidates from other parties. “You can’t be supporting the APC here and still be supporting some other political parties somewhere else. “It doesn’t make sense. It’s not done anywhere,” the Zamfara State governor added, insisting that he is always in support of the decision of the forum. 2027: ‘I’m part of that mission’ – Gov Lawal clarifies position on Wike’s Rainbow Coalition
BAGANBAZAR GRAPHSource-attributed newsWORLD deskThe Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has returned a draft worth N84 million to an Edo State businessman, Ekhahon Abraham, following the recovery of the funds from a woman identified as Anita Eborome. The EFCC disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X account on Friday, explaining that the money was recovered by its operatives from Eborome during an investigation into a land transaction. According to the commission, Abraham had paid Eborome N84 million for a parcel of land measuring 115 feet by 135 feet in a community in Edo State. After completing the payment, Abraham reportedly constructed a perimeter fence around the property. However, the fence was later demolished by a man who claimed to be the rightful owner of the land. The businessman subsequently demanded a refund from Eborome but was unsuccessful, as she allegedly became evasive. He was then advised to petition the EFCC over the matter. The commission said its investigation established that Abraham had transferred the money to Eborome, who subsequently diverted the funds for her personal use. Presenting the recovered funds to Abraham, the acting Zonal Director and Deputy Commander of the EFCC, Sa’ad Hanafi, said the commission would continue to carry out its responsibilities professionally. Hanafi added that the EFCC would ensure that fraudsters were denied opportunities to benefit from proceeds they did not legitimately earn. EFCC recovers N84m, returns money to Edo businessman
BAGANBAZAR GRAPHSource-attributed newsWORLD deskCNN reporters have been excluded from travelling with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, despite the network being scheduled to cover the presidential trip, in what appears to be the latest restriction on the broadcaster’s access to the White House. The development comes after Trump last week moved to bar three US media organisations; CNN, MS NOW and Politico, from the White House, accusing them of producing predominantly negative coverage of his administration. The journalists were subsequently prevented from entering the White House complex. However, a judge ordered their access to be temporarily restored, ruling that Trump’s action was likely unconstitutional. CNN had been scheduled to serve as the television network in the press pool accompanying Trump during his trip to Tennessee on Saturday. However, a White House schedule released late Friday did not include CNN or any of the other television networks listed in the regular TV pool rotation. The presidential press pool consists of journalists from different media organisations who rotate coverage of the president and share their reports with other outlets because of limited space during official travel. Instead, the White House schedule listed Lindell TV as the “Secondary TV” correspondent and crew. The outlet is run by businessman Mike Lindell, a close ally of Trump and a staunch supporter of the US president. The latest development follows a rare joint decision earlier in the week by the five major US broadcast networks to suspend their pool coverage of the White House in solidarity with CNN while the network’s access remained restricted. “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objec