#Defamation: Don’t Allow Guests To Comment on CPS-AKOGUNS, NIPR Begs Radio Stations
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has appealed to radio stations in Kwara State not to prompt or allow guests/hosts to comment on the ongoing defamation issue between the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye and Akogun brothers, Abdulrasheed and Dare Akogun.
The Chairperson Kwara State Chapter of NIPR, Dr.Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi in a statement issued on Thursday, notes that Institute has waded in to facilitate out of court settlement.
Saudat Abdulbadi hinted that the plea has the backing of all parties involved.
Full Statement
Following the complaint raised by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, ,Mallam Rafiu Ajakaiye to the police on alleged defamation of his personality by the duo of Rasheed Akogun and Dare Akogun and their subsequent arraignment in court,the NIPR had waded into the issue with a view to deploying conflict resolution mechanism that will lead to out-of-court settlement. This effort is already giving hope of amicable settlement.
However, the NIPR has observed a wave, indeed a tendency on the part of current affairs commentators on some radio stations and social media platforms, to, unwittingly or deliberately, make remarks or comments that are unhelpful to the ongoing efforts at achieving out- of-courts settlement.
We hereby appeal to media houses and online media to cease such comments in order not to prejudice and jeopardize the ongoing settlement efforts.
Host/hostess of programmes should not prompt guests on their programme to make prejudiced comments or remarks or allowed guest to delve into the CPS-AKOGUNS matter when participating in a programme.
This position and plea has the backing of the parties to the dispute.
All men and women of goodwill should be assured that the NIPR efforts and other complementary interventions by others are getting closer to resolving the issues.
Therefore our appeal is for attruistic disposition towards the incidents by all concerned.