The Immediate Past President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Dr. Chris Isiguzo, has vehemently denied a news report by the Blueprint Newspaper and The Conclave blog dated December 8, 2024, alleging that a court has stopped him and one Comrade Akaraonye from selling the NUJ Secretariat building in Imo State.
In a statement made available to Popular News, Isiguzo said: “This publication represents the most irresponsible form of journalism I have encountered in my entire career. I categorically state that the report is false, malicious, and deliberately designed to tarnish my reputation and subject me to public ridicule.
“To set the record straight, I was neither a party to, nor aware of, any legal proceedings related to the sale or lease of the NUJ property in Imo State during my tenure as President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). It is therefore shocking and deeply disturbing to find my name dragged into an issue of which I have absolutely no knowledge.”
According to Isiguzo, “given the grave nature of the allegations and the defamatory content of the publications—which have now gone viral—I am compelled to take immediate legal action. I hereby notify the authors of these publications and the media outlets involved to prepare to present their evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Let me emphasize: journalism is not a license for reckless behavior, unsubstantiated reporting, or malicious character assassination. The defamatory and libelous nature of these claims amounts to nothing less than criminal defamation.”
Going further, the former NUJ President submitted: ” Having served meritoriously as NUJ President for six years and as President of the Congress of African Journalists, I have worked tirelessly to uphold the integrity of journalism and build a reputation based on professionalism and service. I cannot stand by while individuals posing as journalists attempt to destroy what I have worked so hard to achieve.
“Let it be known that I will not allow such unprofessional conduct to go unchallenged. I remain committed to protecting my name and the ethical standards of the noble profession of journalism.”
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