According to the NUJ, some of these groups have circulated flyers announcing press conferences at the secretariat but fail to show up, further exposing the fraudulent nature of their activities.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has warned the public, government agencies, and corporate organizations to beware of faceless groups and individuals who exploit its secretariat to stage fraudulent press conferences.
In a statement, the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, condemned the activities of impostors who, often working with non-journalists, use the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, as a cover to blackmail, extort, and harass unsuspecting individuals and organizations.
“We strongly condemn the actions of unscrupulous coalitions and individuals who misuse our premises for fraudulent purposes. The NUJ FCT Secretariat is not for hire and cannot be compromised as a platform for blackmail or deceit,” Oyekunle said.
According to the NUJ, some of these groups have circulated flyers announcing press conferences at the secretariat but fail to show up, further exposing the fraudulent nature of their activities.
The Council stressed that only accredited journalists and recognized professional media bodies are authorized to use the facility for legitimate engagements.
“We urge government agencies, corporate bodies, and members of the public to verify with NUJ leadership before recognizing or attending any press conference purportedly held at our premises,” Oyekunle added.
The NUJ FCT Council revealed that security checks at its secretariat have been tightened to prevent further abuse. It also vowed to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute offenders involved in such schemes.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical journalism, the union called on genuine practitioners to work with the Council to cleanse the profession of fraudulent practices that undermine public trust.
