By Ifeanyi Nwanguma
A retired Permanent Secretary in Imo State, Mr. Clifford Igwe has refuted the report posted by Saharareporters on the release of his Nephew, Daberechi Alozie who was arrested on 25th of May 2021 in the wake of Orji saga by the Imo State Police Command and transferred to Abuja.
Igwe who briefed Journalists in Owerri on Saturday, 19th June 2021, maintained that the report posted by Saharareporters is nothing but a figment of their imagination as there was no iota of Truth in the said report by Saharareporters.
Igwe who also pointed out that his Nephew, Daberechi Alozie was granted bail on Thursday , 17th June unconditionally, however described the report by Saharareporters as yellow journalism, adding that he delegated the person that signed his bail bond in Abuja and I have it on good authority that he never paid a Kobo to that effect.
According to him, ” My attention has been drawn to the post by Saharareporters captioned, ‘ Exposed: After taking #1m bribe, IGP Team in Abuja releases South East Youths Framed Up being ESN members”
” A portion of the report stated; ‘ Another victim, Daberechi Alozie , was freed on Friday night. His Guardian, a retired Permanent Secretary in the state civil service secured his release. He paid a huge sum too, a source added.”
” I wish to state it here clearly that I m the the retired Permanent Secretary, Guardian of Daberechi Alozie under reference by Saharareporters. Let me state without equivocation that what Saharareporters posted was a figment of their imagination as there is no iota of Truth in their report.”
” My Nephew, Daberechi Alozie, was granted bail in the evening of Thursday , being 17th of June 2021 and the bail was unconditional. In fairness to the Police, no sum of money was paid to secure his release from Police custody. Saharareporters was not fair to me and to the Police in that report filled with falsehood.”
Mr. Igwe who further used the opportunity to call on media practitioners to always cross check their reports before posting, however wondered how Saharareporters posted a total falsehood to tarnish his image.
He said, ” A Kobo was not paid to secure the release of my Nephew, he was released unconditionally by the Nigeria Police after thorough investigations. The report by Saharareporters is nothing but pure yellow journalism and I demand immediate retraction and apology from Saharareporters.”