News
Corps Member, Nathaniel, Not Assaulted By Army Personal Rather Rescued – NYSC
Joel Ajayi
The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has revealed that, the story making rounds on the social media concerning Corps Member Abel Tardoo Nathaniel, serving in Ondo State, who had embarked on a twenty four days trek, from Ondo State to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja assaulted by Army personnel.
The Scheme said that no Army Personal assaulted the Corps Member but was rescued from harm and taken to the NYSC Clinic for immediate medical attention, urging reporters to always cross check with the Scheme for facts before filing reports.
Giving the details of the story in a Press Statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the NYSC’s image maker, Eddy Megwa, confirmed that no military personnel assaulted him.
According to the statement, the attention of the NYSC Management has been drawn to the above story making the rounds on the social media concerning Corps Member Abel Tardoo Nathaniel, serving in Ondo State, who had embarked on a twenty — four day trek, from Ondo State to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“He wore NYSC fez cap, white t-shirt and a pair of white shorts, won only during orientation course. His dressing was very unusual, as he clutched in one hand National Flag, and in the other, a placard with an inscription FEARLESS.
“To put issues in proper perspective, the Corps Member, in violation of the laid down rules of the National Youth Service Corps concerning inter-state journeys, embarked on a visit outside his state of Service, hence, absenting himself from duty at his place of primary assignment, as well as Community Development Service, without due authorisation.
“In addition to the foregoing infraction, the State Coordinator never granted him permission to travel out of his state of Service which should have preceded the journey.
“More worrisome was embarking on a trek to Abuja, without sparing a thought for the hazardous nature of the trip. The Scheme just rescued him from harm as loco parentis.
“The State Coordinator, NYSC Ondo State had earlier raised alarm on the disappearance of Nathaniel who had severed communication with his mother and relatives, as calls put to his phone were all unanswered for three weeks which caused the mother and relatives serious anxiety.
“It is appropriate to state that no military personnel was out to assault him. Rather, he was rescued and taken to the NYSC Clinic for immediate medical attention, after which he was handed over to his highly elated mother, who expressed deep appreciation to the Scheme.
“It is advisable for reporters to always cross check with the Scheme for facts before filing their reports in order to guard against sensationalism, or serving the public outright falsehood.”
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.
The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.
Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.
In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.
“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”
The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).
– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.
– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.
– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.
– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.
“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”
The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.
About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.
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