NITDA threatens to sue SaharaReporters over report on alleged N1bn Digital Learning Scheme
NEWS DIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has threatened to take legal action against the Sahara Reporters newspaper over its report on alleged directive by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali-Pantami, to National Communications Commission, NCC, to release the sum of N1billion to the agency for Digital Learning Scheme project.
The NITDA, through its legal representatives – Arthur Nylander Barristers and Solicitors – described the publication as defaming and an attempted to smear the image of the Communications and Digital Economy Minister Pantami.
The letter, signed by Leslie Olutayo Nylander, Olumide Phillips Esq, noted that NITDA never received any such amount from the NCC for the ‘phantom project’.
The law firm, therefore, advised SaharaReporters to withdraw the publication and tender apologies for the damage caused the agency.
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“We ask the members of the public to disregard the allegations in the publications and utilize the freedom of information, Act, laws of Nigeria, 2011, to unravel the truth on any transaction or records of our client that can be legally made public”.
“Notice is hereby given to Sahara Reporters, its agents, its privies, assigns and any other person(s) acting on their behalf, all print and online media outlets in Nigeria and any other person (s) (domestic and foreign), to cease and desist forthwith from further publishing, circulating or otherwise propagating the contents of the malicious, otherwise, our clients shall be constrained to ventilate its grievances against such reportage, exploring all legal strategies at its disposal, in seeking a halt to any damaging coverage and/or publication,” the letter read.
“In light of the foregoing, our client demands the withdrawal of the libelous publication and an unequivocal apology from either Sahara Reporters or any its agents, privies, assigns, and any other person(s) acting on their behalf, to be published in three (3) widely read National dailies and their online platform within Seven (7) days, failing which our client shall not hesitate to seek legal redress without further recourse to the perpetrators of the publication.”
