Journalist resigns after release from custody over controversial story on Gbajabiamila
The General Editor of First News, Segun Olatunji, has tendered his resignation amidst a brewing controversy surrounding a recent story involving the Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Olatunji was recently released from custody after spending days at an underground cell of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
The resignation letter, addressed to the Publisher/Managing Director of First Media Network Limited, was dated May 8, 2024.
The editor’s resignation comes in the wake of a disagreement with the management of the company over the handling of the aforementioned story.
The management of First News has since tendered an apology to Gbajabiamila over the story with the headline: ”How Gbajabiamila attempted to corner $30bn, 66 houses traced to Sabiu.”
In his resignation letter, the editor expressed hope that the truth regarding the situation would eventually come to light.
Additionally, he called upon the management of First Media Network Limited to expedite the settlement of his outstanding salaries, which reportedly span a period of one year.
The letter read: ”In view of the latest development regarding the Gbajabiamila story and the stance of the company’s Management, I hereby tender my resignation as the General Editor of First News.
”It has become imperative for me to resign my appointment for the safety of my person and my family.
”However, I want to state that in no distant time, the truth will come out and then it’ll be my word against theirs.
”I hope the Management of First Media Network Limited, publishers of First News newspaper, will be magnanimous enough to fully settle the one year outstanding salaries I am being owed, in no time.
”I thank the company’s management for giving me the opportunity to contribute my quota to its operations in the past four years.”
