From: Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia
Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, has said that he was not involved in the arrest and detention of one Prince Dan Iyke as was being rumoured.
Chukwu has been accused as the masterminded Iyke’s arrest.
According to him, his attention was drawn to reports making the rounds that he masterminded the arrest and detention of Prince Iyke.
According to Chukwu, “This allegation is unfounded, because the purveyors of such information went to the public without verifying their reports. I have no hand in Prince Dan Iyke’s arrest.
“Those accusing me of masterminding his arrest should rather contact the Police to ascertain why he is being detained. I have no hand in his arrest”, the Deputy Governor emphasised.
He stated that journalists are the conscience of the society and must focus on developmental developmental practice to ensure factual reportage .
He advised them to investigate their sources of news thoroughly and balance their reports before dishing it out t the reading public.
The deputy governor, who spoke through a statement signed by his Personal Assistant, Orji Francis Okpe, urged journalists to be objective and unbiased with their reportage in line with the ethics of their profession.
He was reacting to reports linking him with the arrest and detention of one Prince Dan Iyke in Ohafia, Abia State.
He condemned the incessant attack on public office holders by media practitioners who publish without verifying their stories, lamented that several public office holders have been condemned in public without having the opportunity to react to allegations made against them .
Hr urged media practitioners to resist the urge to vilify public office holders and strive to verify their reports before going to press.