The Interview Editors
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Tuesday rubbished the report of the Lagos EndSARS judicial panel, saying it is fake and tales by moonlight.
The minister spoke at a news conference in Abuja.
According to the minister, it was shocking that the same allegations made by Nigerians were merely compiled and submitted as a report by the panel set up to investigate the claims of police brutality.
He said the report represents intimidation of the majority by a minority.
Mohammed, who disclosed the Federal Government position on the report said “it is fake, riddled with so many errors and cannot be relied upon because its authenticity is in doubt.
The minister also criticised the Cable News Network (CNN) for prematurely celebrating a leaked report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the October 20, 2020 Lekki Toll Gate incidence in Lagos.
“CNN apparently didn’t even read the report before rolling out the drums in celebration.
“By that action, CNN has celebrated prematurely and has now committed a double faux pas: first, by relying on unverified social media stories and videos to carry out an investigation of the Oct. 20 2020 incident at Lekki, where it did not have a correspondent on ground.
“CNN goofed in its report on the findings of the panel, which fell below the main standards of journalism.
“Secondly, CNN rushed to the air to celebrate an unsigned and unverified report that is riddled with inconsistencies, errors, discrepancies and innuendoes.
“That’s double faux pas by a news organisation that is eager and willing to compromise standards just to claim vindication,’’ he said.
The minister also berated some section of the Nigerian media which he said had also joined the lynch mob.
“Honestly, in an attempt to vilify government at all costs, they have done themselves a great disservice.
“How can any news organisation worth its salt write an editorial validating this kind of report?.
“Are they not seeing what others, including journalists and lawyers are seeing?.
“In a shocking twist, a Nigerian newspaper chose to hail what it calls ‘’detailed investigative report’’ by CNN, even when the news channel did not even cover the incident of Oct. 20 2020!.
“It’s a classic case of cutting your nose to spite your face,’’ he said.
Mohammed reiterated that there was nothing in the report in circulation that would make the government to change its stand that there was no massacre at Lekki on October 20 2020.
