NUJ defends journalist accused of 'manhood theft'

Thanks to Anna Raccoon for this extraordinary tale from AllAfrica.com about a journalist accused of "manhood theft". The Nigeria Union of Journalists is defending its member, so to speak.

"Gusau — THE Zamfara State correspondent of the National life newspaper, Saminu Ibrahim has escaped lynching at the premise of Skye Bank Gusau following alleged missing of Manhood of a staff of the bank Mr, Idowu Olatunji .

The National Life newspaper correspondent, was accused by the staff of the bank (Skye Bank, Gusau) Mr. Idowu Olatunji, of allegedly causing the missing of his private when he (journalist) went to withdraw his August salary from the bank.

But for the intervention of the policeman attached to the bank who quickly took both the accused and the complainant to the nearest police station for safety, the correspondent would have been lynched.

Against the backdrop of the allegation the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zamfara state council, has called on the police in the state to investigate the matter .

The NUJ Chairman in the state, Comrade Mainasara Ruwan Dorawa, appealed for calm to enable the police investigate the matter, recalling that this was the second time a journalist would be accused of manhood theft . He stated that the first allegation after investigation turned out not to be true.

He said "Recently another journalist representing Kano-based Triumph newspaper had a similar false accusation of snatching manhood".

Ruwan Doruwa regretted that even when the allegation was discovered not to be true, the accuser was left unpunished by the police.

The chairman who lamented the poor image of journalists in the state observed that the allegation of stealing manhood has helped to worsen the perception of newsmen by the public.

He further appealed to the police to wake up to their challenge by probing the recent allegation, saying the finding will go a long way to show that journalists have nothing to do with such devious act.

"NUJ would not fold it arms watching devils under whatever colour to deter journalists from carrying out their lawful assignment, the union will continue to defend law-abiding members", he said. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sanusi Amiru who confirmed the incident, assured that the report would be made public as soon as the probe is compiled."