Peace Corps of Nigeria Accuses Sahara Reporters of Being used to debase its Reputation
The Peace Corps of Nigeria has accused Sahara Reporters, an online news platform of being used to demean the hard earned reputation of the Corps.
The Corps Public Relations Officer, Jessica Nwakonobi, in a statement in Abuja stated that in 2017, Sahara Reporters and the Nigerian News, both online News media published same story with the same content when the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps was overwhelmingly passed by the National Assembly. Believing that Sahara Reporters particularly is either playing the hatched job or it’s being sponsored by someone or agency that is desperately out to either tarnish the rising profile of the organization locally and internationally or out to bring the character of its National Commandant, Prof. Dickson Akoh to disrepute.
‘‘I make bold to say without any fear of contradiction that neither the organization nor Prof. Akoh is facing any criminal investigation or trial anywhere in the world. Also, the organization and its leadership are ever ready to be investigated or face any form of trial for the umpteenth time as it has no skeleton in its cupboard’’.
Nwakonobi added that the Peace Corps of Nigeria as a uniform youth organization is very transparent in its recruitment processes and general operations and have not committed any wrong doing.
Sahara Reporters had on July 17, 2022 published a story titled: Aggrieved Nigerian Youths Vows to Mobilise ’22-Million-man Protest’ Over Alleged Fraud, Deception by Peace Corps Founder, Akoh. According to Nwakonobi, the Corps wrote and sent a rejoinder to same medium but their chose to again publish half of the information sent to them. She noted that the Corps has the right to reply to whatever has been published against it.
The Corps Public Relations Officer quarries the ractionale behind the action of Sahara Reporters and its allies. She noted that its is either the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill is receiving attention in the National Assembly or elections are around the corner, that Sahara Reporters come up with reports that are geared towards tarnishing the image of the Corps and that of the National Commandant
The rejoinder written by the Corps on the allegation by Sahara Reporters dated, June 21, 2020 annexed the clearance by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission as well as the Nigerian Police, which is hereby reproduced herein.
