FG Files Complaint With Ombudsman Over ‘Daily Trust’ Report On Samoa Deal, LGBTQ+ Allegation
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has lodged a formal complaint against the Daily Trust newspaper with the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), accusing the publication of “disseminating false and misleading information that allegedly poses a threat to national security”.
In a statement jointly issued by the organisation’s Chairman, and Interim Secretary Eluem Emeka Izeze and Feyi Smith on Monday, the NMCC, also known as the Ombudsman, confirmed receipt of the complaint from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The complaint, dated July 8, 2024, and signed by Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, alleges that an article published by Daily Trust on July 4, 2024, titled “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal,” contained inaccuracies that have led to hate speech, threats, intimidation, and cyberbullying directed at individuals and government officials.
According to the complaint, the article claimed that the Nigerian Government had endorsed a partnership agreement with the European Union (EU) known as the “Samoa Agreement,” which allegedly included clauses supporting LGBTQ rights, contrary to Nigeria’s stance on the matter.
“The report is false and misleading,” stated the Ministry, calling for the NMCC to intervene and conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The government is demanding that Daily Trust should retract the article, issue a prominent correction, apologise unequivocally, and implement stricter editorial guidelines to prevent future occurrences.
Responding to the complaint, the NMCC acknowledged receipt in an official letter dated July 10, 2024, assuring the Ministry that the matter is under investigation.
Mr. Feyi Smith, Interim Secretary of the NMCC, affirmed the commission’s commitment to impartiality and transparency throughout the process.
“As an independent media regulatory body, it is our duty to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in the media,” stated Mr. Smith. “We will ensure a thorough inquiry and expect full cooperation from all parties involved.”
Daily Trust newspaper is expected to provide its response to the allegations as part of the NMCC’s investigation. The commission reiterated its mandate to foster a free and responsible media environment while addressing complaints of inaccurate reporting that may impact national interests.
The NMCC (The Ombudsman) is an independent, multi-stakeholder co-regulatory body established by the Nigerian Press Organizations (NPO), made up of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON).
The body is tasked with providing the public with an independent forum for resolving complaints about the press; resolving all complaints quickly, fairly and free of charge; maintaining high standards of journalism practice and journalistic ethics; and defending the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know.
