…Describes Claims as Poorly Executed Hatchet Job
The media office of the Senator Austin Akobundu, representing Abia Central Senatorial District, has denied allegations that he ordered the manhandling of a journalist, Toni Icheku.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by head of media office, Jude Ndukwe described the claims as “falsehood taken too far” and a “poorly executed hatchet job.”
Recall that reactions have trailed social media regarding the rumours that the Senator ordered the brutalisation of Toni Icheku, an Abia based journalist.
The statement emphasized that Senator Akobundu was unaware of any incident involving the journalist and that those who know him understand he is not prone to such behavior.
The media office distanced the Senator from the report, calling it a product of “mischief, malice, and vendetta.”
Read the statement in full:
Press Release:
Senator Akobundu Never Ordered The Manhandling of Any Journalist
– Our attention has been drawn to a publication making the rounds in the social media wherein Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Austin Akobundu was alleged to have ordered the brutalisation of a ‘journalist’, one Toni Icheku, in Abia State, and wish to state that the story is one falsehood taken too far.
– We would have ignored the poorly executed hatchet job by the said Toni but for the purpose of ensuring that the public is not misled by such a badly concocted story.
– Senator Akobundu is not aware of any such incident, talk less of ordering it until he started seeing the story in some blogs, to his utter bewilderment.
– Those who know the Senator, including journalists who have covered him in public service over the years, know that he is not given to such tendencies. The attempt to malign him with such wicked fabrication is an attempt in futility and an unmitigated desperation to seek attention.
We, therefore, distance Senator Akobundu from such a report and call on members of the public to ignore the falsehoods and treat it as the product of mischief, malice, and vendetta that it is.
Jude Ndukwe
For Senator Austin Akobundu’s
Media Office
