The attention of the Public is hereby drawn to a recent false alarm raised by the Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Idris Miliki Abdul alleging that MEDIA AND HUMAN RIGHT COMMUNITY ARE ON TRIAL AND THAT THE HONORABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TRIAL.
To put the records straight, Idris Miliki, has chosen to constitute himself to be a self-appointed advocate whose stock in trade is mischief, in the said alarm he made some inflammatory, unfounded, libellous, and defamatory remarks about the performance and integrity of the House, and the House, in its wisdom and in line with civil procedure, has invited him to appear before it to prove the veracity of his claims.
Idris Abdul Miliki cast aspersions on the integrity of the House Members, alleging that members have been collecting and misappropriating constituency project funds, contrary to the fact that law-makers do not execute projects but only appropriate funds for the executive arm of government to implement.
It is in this regard, that the House had invited him to appear before it alongside the publisher of The Public magazine, one of those local tabloids and publicly the authenticity of their claims. An open invitation by the representatives of the people to the Chamber of the House does not in any pose a threat or impugn on the fundamental right of an individual.
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands” holds sway. Therefore, the human rights advocate should see the invitation as an opportunity to further defend his cause and the public interest he claims to serve.
The media and the general public are hereby called upon to ignore the misguided and misplaced statement that the media and Human Right Community are on trial.
In conclusion, the constitutional provision for freedom of information, expression and opinion should not be liberty for flippancy, derogatory remarks which smacks of mischief, or comments that are based on lies, and defamation.
Felix Udebu
Special Adviser on Media Affairs to the Rt. Hon. Speaker,
Kogi State House of Assembly.
