Punch Nigeria Limited has suspended its membership of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria until further notice.
In a Letter dated Thursday, December 17 and signed by its chairman, Wale Aboderin, the Publishers of the Punch titles said “After a careful review of recent, and still unfolding, developments, Punch Nigeria Limited is suspending its membership of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria until further notice. This suspension takes effect immediately.
“The public will recall the criminal charges levelled against a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and several other alleged accomplices.
“These charges border on the diversion of public funds, totalling $2.1 billion, allocated for the purchase of arms to prosecute the war against terrorism.
“The revelations indicate that the sum of N120 million was disbursed in murky circumstances to some member-companies of NPAN, ostensibly as compensation for the losses they incurred in June 2014 when armed soldiers seized newspapers and newspaper distribution vans.
“The source of this money and the manner of its receipt, allegedly through a company called General Hydrocarbons, which is unknown to NPAN, have raised public concerns about the integrity of the press in Nigeria.
“The unfolding scandal has equally cast a shadow on the reputation of the mass media
“We believe in an independent and unfettered mass media, trusted by the public and all stakeholders.
“We have sustained losses, suffered closures and endured privations in the past for our beliefs.
“We have remained, and will remain, steadfast in the defence of the ideals of responsible journalism; hence, our decision.
“We reiterate the need to rebuild and refocus the NPAN as a vibrant, independent business association and pressure group, funded only by its member-organisations.
“We will ONLY reconsider our withdrawal from NPAN when the critical issues which we, and other concerned stakeholders, have raised are addressed.”
Recent investigations into how the $2.1 billion arms procurement funds were spent revealed that publisher of Thisday Newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena received N120 Million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki on behalf of 12 newspapers whose circulation were disrupted by the military in June 2014.