The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was purportedly looking into an alleged drug trafficking case against Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, in the United States, according to a bogus press release that was carried by Arise News on Monday (APC).
The TV station was also penalized N2 million by the broadcast authority for the breach, and the money had to be paid within two weeks. The story violated the broadcast regulations, according to Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, director general of NBC.
According to NBC, “The said Press Release alleged that INEC is investigating the use of forfeiture by a US Court against the Presidential Candidate of the APC, with a view to prosecution. The press Release in reference has been tagged FAKE by INEC and the organisation has issued a counter Press Release to refute the story.
“This is a most unfortunate breach of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and gross display of unprofessionalism and insensitivity by your organisation at this time of electioneering.”
The regulator observed that the TV station had apologized to Tinubu, but NBC said it demanded the highest professionalism from a broadcaster when dealing with serious matters.
The NBC had received a petition from the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council requesting for penalties against Arise News and Channels TV for their reportage on Tinubu.
The campaign council said that both television stations were accused of breaking broadcast regulations by their activities in a petition submitted to the Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, and signed by the PCC’s Special Adviser for Media, Communications, and Public Affairs, Dele Alake.
According to campaign council, the purported indictment against Tinubu as reported and discussed on Arise News and Channels TV had already been cleared in a correspondence between the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tafa Balogun, and the United States Government.
It further stated that continued broadcast of a non-existing “indictment” violated the NBC code.
