Less than 24 hours after a report emerged that a reporter of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Fejiro Oliver, tried to blackmail Governor Muazu Aliyu of Niger State, the state government has provided what it claimed were text message exchanges between it and the journalist.
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.
While parading the suspect before journalists, the state director, of the SSS, Larry Obiagwu, said the journalist was arrested by his men at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while on his way to Minna to collect the said amount.
However, according to latest Premium Times report, the Niger state government on Tuesday exposed text messages detailing conversation between Oliver and an official of the state government.
Speaking on the matter, the spokesperson of Governor Aliyu, Israel Ebije, informed said that: “Agreed reporters at times use pen names, but not in this case whereby this man was just using mushroom online platforms to blackmail innocent Nigerians.”
It was gathered that Ebije forwarded text messages exchanged between Oliver and the Secretary to Government of Niger State, Saidu Ndako when pressed for concrete evidence that the journalist actually demanded bribe.
Below is the text messages exchanged between the reporter and the SSG:
Ndako: We are working out the possibility of beating the 9.30 am deadline to get the ticket out, your coming will be late evening and weekend, please tell me what to do next because I want an end to this issue and possible retrieval of all the documents. Regards
Fejiro: Sir, as long as Israel is out of the issue, we can manage everything successfully. I have gotten the receipt (sic) of the ticket and will be in Abuja tomorrow.
Ndako: Just trying to get prepared for we shall be looking at because of weekend.
Fejiro: SSG Sir, we can discuss everything when I come in tomorrow but you can count on me that it will be fruitful.
Ndako: So how do we meet, where and when. need airport pickup?
Fejiro: Good Morning Sir, when the plane is set to fly, I will inform you. My staff in Abuja will be at the airport to pick me. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
for the 3 days is what is left and that can be done when I’m in Abuja.
for the 3 days is what is left and that can be done when I’m in Abuja.
Ndako: Okay no problem. Call me when you are in town
Fejiro: My flight is leaving now Sir.
Niger State in Nigerian map.
Ndako added that after it became clear that the journalist was out to blackmail officials of the state government, a statement was issued warning him to refrain from his actions or be exposed.
“I even put out a caveat to him through his so-called secret reporters warning him of the consequences of his actions, but because he is greedy he still insisted.
“We are already aware that the documents he claimed to have were given to him by an aggrieved government official, Iliyasu Dhako, who I have on tape confessing and apologising for his action,” Ndako said.
The SSG stated that when the matter was reported to the State SECURITY SERVICE in Minna, they set up a trap for Oliver “and he greedily fell into it” .
in Minna, they set up a trap for Oliver “and he greedily fell into it” .
“Most of the communication we had with the journalist was under the guidance of the SSS just to prove that he was out to extort money,” Ebije said.
However, a close ally of the journalist, a human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, who had been spearheading the campaign to find out the whereabouts of Oliver since Friday when he was declared missing, said on Tuesday that the Niger state government lied against the reporter.
In a post on his Facebook account, Effiong said “We have heard from Fejiro Oliver directly.
“He appreciates our efforts and urges us to continue with the campaign to free him, that he is fine.
“As for the information making round, we will respond appropriately. The attempt to paint Fejiro Oliver in bad light will fail.
“We are going to respond to all the issues raised. Now that I have heard from him I am more confident to fight on”.
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