By Terver Akase
We read a report in an online publication written by one Denen Achussah, who unprofessionally allowed his personal opinion in the story by falsely accusing the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom of writing petitions against his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam and causing his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services, DSS in 2017.
We are compelled to address the glaring breach of journalistic ethics exhibited by the said newspaper editor as it affects Chief Ortom. The insertion of a personal opinion in the concluding paragraph of the story has not only cast doubts on the credibility of the report but also reflects a yawning bias that contravenes the very principles of journalism.
In the said paragraph, where the writer stated that Governor Ortom’s “government, in addition to probing his predecessor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, wrote petitions that saw Dr. Suswam spending months in detention facilities and several visits to antigraft agencies”, he crossed the line from objective reporting into the realm of subjective commentary. This is not only unprofessional but also misleading, as it suggests a one-sided narrative that lacks the necessary context and balance expected in journalistic discourse.
The tenets of journalism are clear: reporters and editors must strive for impartiality, presenting facts without allowing personal biases or opinions to colour their reporting. By allowing personal views to seep into their report, the editor of the said online publication failed to uphold these fundamental principles, thereby compromising the integrity of his publication and misleading his readership.
To set the records straight, it is necessary to state that Governor Ortom had no hand in the arrest and detention of Senator Suswam by DSS. When the former governor was apprehended by DSS, the security Service stated unequivocally that they found sophisticated weapons in his possession. The Service, in a statement, said the arrest was based on the operation carried out in Suswam’s house in Maitama, Abuja and at Dunes Investment and Global Properties, also in Maitama (see Daily Trust and This Day newspapers of February 17, 2017). The DSS operation was not based on a petition from Governor Ortom or any of his appointees.
It is equally important to clarify that the money laundering matter involving N3.1 billion instituted against Senator Suswam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC commenced before Chief Ortom became Governor in 2015. The anti-corruption commission made it clear that it had received the petition to investigate the missing funds while Suswam was still the Governor. It is therefore the height of mischief and malice for anyone to accuse Chief Ortom of being behind the trial of Suswam.
On the issue of probe, it is true that Governor Ortom set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the financial transactions of the Suswam administration, but several key stakeholders including the Tiv Traditional Council, TTC intervened and appealed that the white paper on the investigation be suspended. The State Government respected the intervention of TTC and halted further actions in relation to the probe.
The online publication ought to have accessed these records and facts before doing its report.
Lastly, we wish to advise owners of news organizations to endeavour to prioritize the hiring of qualified and trained journalists who understand and respect the ethical standards of the profession. Employing quacks as editors and reporters who indulge in politically motivated news content, as evidenced by Achussah’s piece, damages the reputation of the journalism profession.
The path to ensuring credibility lies in adherence to the principles of neutrality, truth and fairness.
Terver Akase
For H.E Ortom
January 13, 2025.
