$2.1m arms deal: The Sun Newspaper returns N9m compensation it received to NPAN

The Sun Newspaper announced yesterday that
they have returned the N9million compensation it
received from the Newspaper Proprietors
Association of Nigeria (NPAN), given to them
from the office of the embattled former National
Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The money was
compensation given to some newspaper houses
whose offices were raided by the military last
year.
In a statement signed by the Sun Managing
Director/Editor-in- Chief, Mr. Eric Osagie, the
paper said it took the decision to return the
money following the controversy it has since
generated. Their statement after the cut...
“The Management of The Sun Publishing
Limited has considered the public outcry and
diverse controversies generated among
media houses, the Newspaper Proprietors
Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the
public over the N120 million paid by the
Goodluck Jonathan administration as
compensation to newspaper companies for
the unlawful seizure of their newspapers and
stoppage of circulation by armed soldiers in
several cities across the country in June
2014.
1. After the unlawful action of the military, to
which The Sun lost millions of naira, we had
signified the intention to commence litigation
against the Federal Government along with
other affected newspaper companies.
2. However, at the level of the NPAN, which The
Sun is a member, a decision was collectively
taken to accept the Presidency’s offer of peace­
ful settlement in place of litigation in the
interest of peace and national security.
2. We were later informed of the payment of N120
million compensation out of which the sum of
N9 million was paid to The Sun Management by
the NPAN.
3. At the time the compensation was paid, we had
no inkling whatsoever under which expenditure
sub-head in the Presidency the fund was
sourced and that it was allegedly part of the
funds meant for the purchase of arms.
4. As a very responsible newspaper organization,
which places premium on ethics, individual and
corporate integrity, we are certainly
embarrassed by the turn of events and the
unfortunate insinuation of involvement in the
illegal sharing of the nation’s commonwealth
and the feasting on the blood of soldiers
fighting the war against insurgency.
5. We believe strongly in our corporate integrity
and principles of fairness and social justice,
which have driven our business considerations
over the years.
6. In the light of the foregoing, we have returned
the cheque of N9 million to the NPAN for
onward transmission to the source through
which it came.
7. We have seen that the good intention not to
seek redress in court has seemingly backfired.
8. We have also given notice to our lawyers to
immediately commence the process in court to
redress the huge loss suffered through the
actions of the military.
9. We assure our teeming readers of our com­
mitment to serving them faithfully and conscien­
tiously by upholding the time-tested principles
of fair business ethics, equity and social justice