Sun Newspaper Closure: NUJ Calls For Restraint

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for restraint over moves by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to close the Sun Newspaper belonging to convicted former governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Ozor Kalu.

In a statement on Monday morning by NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, the union expressed concern that EFCC had threatened to go ahead with the closure even with the subsisting forfeiture case still pending at the Supreme Court.

“The NUJ is worried by the recent developments at The Sun Newspapers in Lagos where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had given a notice to staff of the organisation to vacate the premises and allow for a take over by the Commission.

“The EFCC said it will enforce a court judgement which ordered for the seizure of property belonging to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who was convicted of fraud.

“While we appreciate the efforts of EFCC at fighting corruption in the country but we hasten to caution that any attempt to throw Journalists out of work for whatever reason in such a hasty manner is not good for democracy.

“The media as pivots to good governance and democracy must be allowed to flourish unhindered. We therefore urge for restraint in this regard to allow for the appeal filed to be determined first before any decision is taken.

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“We are afraid that moving hurriedly to seal off The Sun may be misconstrued as politically motivated.

“This action regrettably is being taken without any consideration to the essence of preserving vibrant and virile journalism at this time when the profession is facing increasing challenges. We need to preserve the jobs of the media workers in The Sun Newspapers by being circumspect and prudent in this respect”.