Civil society organisations have urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the National Association of Women Journalists to intervene in an alleged defamation dispute involving the management of Tozali TV in Abuja and three former staff members.
The groups — Arewa Renaissance Movement and Oodua Integrity Group — said the intervention of the media bodies had become necessary following what they described as the “public maligning” of the former employees on social media by the television station’s chief executive officer.
Speaking on behalf of the organisations, Abba Umar said it had become a growing trend for some media employers to allegedly blackmail staff who leave their organisations due to poor welfare and unfavourable working conditions.
He said the affected former employees — Hauwa Abdullahi Sarkin Narabi, Zainab Muhammad Usman and Saadatu Bukar — were unfairly targeted by allegations posted online.
According to him, the claims that the trio absconded with company funds were questionable since they were not signatories to the organisation’s accounts.
“In the first place, the Tozali TV boss alleged that they absconded with her funds. How is that possible for staff who are not signatories to the company account?” Umar asked.
He also queried why the management allegedly did not raise the issue of missing money while the staff members were still working with the organisation.
“How come Barrister Maimuna did not raise the issue of the missing money while they were still in her organisation?” he added.
Umar called on the Police National Cybercrime Centre to invite the television station’s chief executive to explain the social media accusations against the former employees.
He further disclosed that the matter had also been reported to the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja, where criminal allegations were reportedly filed against the ex-workers.
The groups, however, described the development as unfortunate and called for fair treatment of the affected women.
“It is unfortunate and ridiculous for a woman to treat fellow women like that,” Umar said.
They urged both the NUJ and NAWOJ to urgently wade into the dispute to ensure justice and protect the professional reputation of the journalists involved.
“The NUJ and NAWOJ should please intervene as the three ex-staff are innocent,” he added.
