– culled from Champion, March 18, 2011 –
Executive Chairman and Publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (MFR) has debunked rumours that he has sold 90 per cent equity of the newspaper to former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu.
Chief Iwuanyanwu who was reacting to a news story in ThisDay of Saturday March 12, 2011 and the computerized short message service (SMS) being circulated to Nigerians that he has relinquished 90 per cent stake in Champion Newspapers to Prof. Iwu said the story was malicious and false.
In a statement released in Owerri on Wednesday, Chief Iwuanyanwu said: “My attention has been drawn to a malicious and false publication of ThisDay Newspapers of Saturday, March 12, 2011 alleging that I have sold 90 per cent equity of Champion Newspapers to Professor Maurice Iwu. This story is absolutely false in its entirety.
“The ownership of Champion Newspapers has not changed. For the avoidance of doubt, I am still the owner and publisher of Champion Newspapers.
“I urge the general public and in particular the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to disregard the story in its entirety as everything contained therein is absolutely false.”
Meanwhile, Chief Iwuanyanwu has threatened to drag ThisDay Newspapers to court over the publication.
In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of ThisDay, Chief Iwuanyanwu said “the publication has caused me embarrassment as my business partners within and outside Nigeria have expressed great concern over this matter.”
He demanded a retraction of the story failing which he will “seek other legal means to redress the situation and restore confidence among our teeming partners and admirers.”
It will be recalled that the rumours and false publications about Iwuanyanwu selling the Champion to Iwu arose out of a story in the Champion in which it was reported that Gov Ohakim of Imo State was considering withdrawing from the April guber race. After this story, the Governor and his aides, led by Ethelbert Okere began to circulate the false story that Prof Maurice Iwu bought the Champion and that was why it carried such a story.
Ikedi ohakim must be brought to book. Jail is waiting for you. Get your things in_order!
Ohakim Ikedi. There’s life after government house.