The Nigerian Army has issued a statement to clarify the conflict between the institution and Premium Times, an online newspaper.
The statement signed by Brigadier General Sani Usman, the army’s spokesperson, and e-mailed to The Trent by e-mail on Monday, January 23, 2017 says that the Nigerian Army has not instituted legal action against the newspaper.
The army also defended the legal action taken by its boss, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai saying that he is “a law-abiding citizen” who took “appropriate legal steps of seeking redress” for libelous publications against him by the news platform.
The statement also hinted that the military establishment have grievances against the newspaper, which comes as a surprise to many because the media outlet is pro-Buhari and the ruling APC party.
“The case between the Nigerian Army and the Premium Times of jeopardizing military operations, fraudulent obtaining and disclosure of military information that led to deaths and loss of equipment, is still in the offing,” General Usman wrote.
Read the full statement below:
CLARIFICATION ON THE LIBEL ALLEGATION AGAINST THE PREMIUM TIMES
The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to erroneous impressions and insinuations on a libel case against the Premium Times to whip up sentiments .
Therefore, we wish to clarify that the issue at hand is purely allegation of libel in which Premium Times falsely and unjustifiably accused the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, of false declaration of assets, owning mansions and estates in Dubai and further stated that he was being investigated by Code of Conduct Bureau for false declaration of assets in their publication of 12th December 2015.
Consequently, concerted efforts were made to make Premium Times retract the story and apologize, to no avail. As a law-abiding citizen, he took appropriate legal steps of seeking redress through the courts.
Therefore, this case is between the person of Lieutenant General TY Buratai and the Premium Times and not the Nigerian Army; the issue at hand is libel and not about disclosure of military information by the medium.
The case between the Nigerian Army and the Premium Times of jeopardizing military operations, fraudulent obtaining and disclosure of military information that led to deaths and loss of equipment, is still in the offing.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations
