By Isaac Samuel
The Akwa Ibom State Government has warned individuals and groups behind the publication and circulation of false and malicious reports targeting Governor Umo Eno and his administration to desist or face legal action.
The warning comes amid the ongoing prosecution of a Facebook user, Princess Udoito, who was charged to court by the police over an alleged malicious publication claiming that the governor sold a large parcel of community land in Eket and pocketed the proceeds.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, expressed concern over increasing wave of false, misleading and deliberately fabricated publications aimed at the governor, government projects and programmes.
The government condemned what it called deliberate attempts by certain individuals and groups to circulate misinformation to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the administration.
While reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, the government stressed that such rights do not extend to publishing falsehoods, defamatory content or deliberate misinformation.
Umanah said the administration of Governor Eno welcomes constructive criticism, robust public debate and informed civic engagement as essential elements of democratic governance but would not tolerate fabricated stories, reckless dissemination of unverified allegations or coordinated campaigns of misinformation.
“Accordingly, the State Government hereby cautions publishers, bloggers, social media influencers, content creators, online platforms, groups, and individuals who originate, circulate, or amplify false and malicious information to desist forthwith.
“Government reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures to ensure that any individual or organisation found to have published or disseminated false, injurious, or malicious information capable of misleading the public, damaging reputations, or undermining public confidence is held accountable through the relevant legal processes in accordance with the laws of Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the statement added.
It urged residents to rely only on verified and official sources for information on government policies, programmes and projects and disregard anonymous and unsubstantiated publications intended to create confusion or unnecessary apprehension.
The government called on journalists and other media practitioners to uphold professional ethics by ensuring that reports are factual, balanced, properly verified and guided by the public interest.
Reaffirming its commitment to implementing the ARISE Agenda, the government said it would not be distracted by campaigns of falsehood, misinformation and malicious propaganda but would remain focused on delivering sustainable development and improving the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
