NAHCON Refutes Allegations of Intimidation, Corruption by Online Platform
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NAHCON Refutes Allegations of Intimidation, Corruption by Online Platform
— Denies Using DSS to Arrest Journalist, Describes Report as “Reckless and Fabricated”
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refuted allegations made by NewsPoint Nigeria that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, used the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest the editor of the platform over a report on alleged corruption and pro-government bias within the Commission.
In a statement signed by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant (Media) to the Chairman/CEO, and obtained by INCNews247 on Tuesday, the Commission described the publication titled “How NAHCON Chairman Used DSS To Detain NewsPoint Nigeria’s Editor for Exposing Corruption, Pro-Shettima Reports” as “reckless, defamatory, and entirely fabricated.”
The statement read in part: “The article is a work of fiction designed to malign the character of the Chairman and undermine the integrity of the Commission. We categorically and unequivocally deny all allegations contained within it.”
According to NAHCON, Professor Usman has never ordered, directed, or requested the arrest or detention of any journalist, either through the DSS or any other security agency.
The Commission challenged NewsPoint Nigeria to produce credible evidence of the alleged arrest or the Chairman’s involvement.
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“The Chairman has not and would not use State apparatus to intimidate journalists,” the statement said, adding that the publication’s repeated claims of corruption within NAHCON were “recycled falsehoods” that had long been disproved.
The Commission further maintained that the Chairman remains committed to due process, transparency, and accountability in the management of Hajj affairs, and continues to cooperate with relevant government and anti-corruption agencies through proper channels.
Reacting to allegations that the NAHCON boss had engaged in “disrespect and coordinated attacks” against the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Commission described the claim as “entirely fabricated and unethical.”
“The Chairman maintains a professional and respectful relationship with the Office of the Vice President and all government institutions. The claims of reporting the Vice President to President Tinubu are completely baseless,” the statement clarified.
The release also addressed a reference made to a “senior journalist and former Managing Director of Radio Kano,” whom the report linked to the Commission.
NAHCON stated that the individual in question neither works for the Commission nor represents it in any capacity.
“It is misleading for NewsPoint Nigeria to associate his alleged private actions or statements with the Commission,” the statement said, adding that the report “contradicted itself” by alleging intimidation while simultaneously admitting that the said individual sought reconciliation.
While reaffirming its commitment to media openness and cooperation, NAHCON warned against deliberate attempts to malign the image of the Commission under the guise of press freedom.
“We have maintained open communication with all media organisations and have always welcomed fair and responsible journalism. However, we will not condone deliberate falsehoods and will seek redress through appropriate administrative and media regulatory channels,” the Commission stated.
NAHCON further urged the public to disregard the publication and other similar reports, which it described as part of “a sustained campaign of blackmail and misinformation” targeted at discrediting the Commission’s leadership.
“For over a year, we have been subjected to a stream of baseless allegations and doctored evidence by NewsPoint Nigeria, all published without affording us the right of reply. This conduct violates the Nigerian Press Council’s Code of Ethics and international journalism standards, which require that those accused of wrongdoing be given an opportunity to respond before publication,” the statement read.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and service to Nigerian pilgrims, noting that its focus remains on improving the administration of Hajj operations in the country.
“Our focus remains on serving Nigerian pilgrims, and we shall continue to cooperate with all ethical media organisations in the discharge of our duties,” it concluded.
