Self-acclaimed journalist, Jackson Ude may be in for a hard time as Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over a case of alleged criminal defamation. The development follows Jackson’s allegation that the Vice President received N4 billion naira from an alleged sum embezzled by the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
Magu had been reportedly arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and had undergone acute interrogation. Although the EFCC and DSS refuted the reports of an arrest; positing it was merely an honoured invitation, Jackson Ude took to social media with the claim that the embattled EFCC boss confessed during interrogations to giving Osinbajo N4billion out of a supposed N39 billion of recovered loot.
He went on to allege that the said event took place on the day President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on a medical trip to the United Kingdom. The information was received as spicy gossip from many Nigerians, circulating widely within minutes and became a trending topic.
Hours after, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, via a statement on his Twitter handle, described the rumours as “false and baseless fabrications,” seeking to set the records straight. He also added that this was an attempt to tarnish the Vice President’s image.
Inundated by wide circulation of Fake News about VP's purported involvement in some EFCC recovery billions, pls rest assured they're all LIES: calculated to confuse and concocted to smear Prof. Osinbajo's image. The VP has'nt & will never be involved in any such shady activities pic.twitter.com/bGHyFzHSm6
— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) July 8, 2020
Vice President Osinbajo, wasted no time afterwards in sending a petition to the Police over Jackson Ude‘s allegation. The petition is titled, ‘Criminal Defamation of the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), GCON by Jackson Ude’ and is written by Osinbajo’s lawyer, Bayo Osipitan.
Nigeria's Vice President sues JACKSON UDE, an online journalist, for Defamation of Character… pic.twitter.com/V08EjPcSSW
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) July 9, 2020
The document detailed that Ude’s “vicious and malicious publications” had sought to paint the Vice President as a dishonest and disloyal public official. It also posited that Ude had a habit of publishing false materials; asserting that this petition was necessary to ensure such defamation does not happen again.
Some Nigerians on social media have joined voices in hailing the Vice President for his actions; expressing that they have had enough. Others added that it is rightfully deserved accusing Ude of being a man “filled with lies”.
Fake news merchant @jacksonpbn has been petitioned for publishing fake news against VP @ProfOsinbajo.
Way to go! Enough is Enough. pic.twitter.com/5MAH9xmcR8
— Theresa Tekenah (@TheresaTekenah) July 9, 2020
Jackson Ude is filled with thoughts, images or impulses to LIE over and over again, now his LYING is out of his control.
He will need to explain himself at the law court #ExtraditeUde pic.twitter.com/W4Allc81AC— Benard Loveth (@Benardloveth) July 9, 2020
Jackson Ude, you have blast Your Mouth in the public saying all sorts of things about the innocent man but now your cup is full begging to forgiveness it too late, fly that does not hear word we follow the dead body to the grave.
#ExtraditeUde— Midas Hand (@MidasHand7) July 9, 2020
Some acclaimed that Jackson Ude is a “fake news merchant” who must pay for his crimes, also ‘calling out’ a news source ‘Point Blank News’ that reported the story. They alleged that he is the Founder and Publisher of the “flagship-anti corruption new site” that publishes “false information”.
Jackson Ude is a fake news merchant, PDP Dubai Strategist and partisan hack is in the news. Ude is the Publisher/Founder of pointblanknews a flagship anti-corruption news website that publishes false information with the aim to mislead the public.
— SouthernLightz ?? (@MAESTER76) July 9, 2020
Jackson Ude must be made to pay for all his fake news#ExtraditeUde pic.twitter.com/aqPVWuMHUy
— Olaoye (@Olaoye5) July 9, 2020
Jackson Ude, a resident of the United States, has continued to stand by the series of tweet against Osinbajo; stating that he was ready alongside his lawyers. He also emphasised that for Osinbajo to sue him, he needs to resign first; emphasising that he cannot be “using state resources to intimidate the judiciary.”
Since Osinbajo, the Star Boy, is denying, let’s have lawyers compel the Presidential Panel investigating Magu and the Police, to release the verbatim transcripts of Magu’s confessions. This is not about waving immunity. Oya, let’s go there ndi Lawyers!
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) July 9, 2020
I am not afraid of Osinbajo and his minions. If he indeed wants to go to court, he needs to resign first, and sue me. He cannot be VP and be using state resources to intimidate the Judiciary. He cannot wave an immunity that he didn’t place. Osinabjo should resign first!
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) July 9, 2020
Toluwanimi Onakoya is a spirited writer, creative and videographer. Her biggest drive is to connect with people and depict tales using various forms of media.
Toluwanimi is available on Instagram and Twitter @nimi_onaks
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