Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, has threatened to sue Sahara Reporters over allegations of bribery.
The online medium had claimed in a report on Friday that the 42-year-old was involved in bribery to circumvent the result of the primary election for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It claimed a source alleged that Usman gave $2m to one Farouk Adamu, who collected the cash in Abuja on behalf of APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
While describing the report as false, Bala Usman on the online medium to retract the publication or present proof of the allegation within seven days, else she would have no choice than to seek legal redress in a law court.
A statement she released on Friday read: “My attention has been drawn to a recent report published by Sahara Reporters that I, Hadiza Bala Usman, was involved in bribery to circumvent the results of the primary election for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
“The report alleged that I handed over $2m to Farouk Adamu with the purported aim of buying the said senatorial ticket for Mr. Uba Sani.
“This is absolutely false, reprehensible and a total travesty, which negates every known principle of the noble profession of journalism.
“While I have respect for the role of the media in the development of our country, one would expect that a media platform like Sahara Reporters, whose promoters project themselves as respecters of the rights of others, would get their facts right and present incontrovertible facts rather than sponsored conjectures that attack the integrity of law-abiding citizens.
I am by this statement, requesting that Sahara Reporters retract this libellous publication or present proof of their allegations within seven days without I would have no choice than to seek legal redress in a law court.”
