VC cautions journalists on factual reporting

The new Vice Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike ( MOUAU ), Abia state, Professor Francis Otunta has cautioned journalists to be factual in their reports so as not to engage in what he tagged false, misguided , malicious and libelous reports that could attract them litigations.

Reacting to a newspaper report with the headline “Abia North rerun: VC shuts up returning officer”, the VC said the report hurt him and the university.

Otunta said the Returning Officer in the said rerun election was Dr Bethrand Nduka Nwankwojike, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, but the newspaper report named him as Prof Nwankwojike Ojike

He said there is no Prof Nwankwo Ojike in the university but there is however Engr Bethrand Nduka Nwankwojike, who is the head of department of Mechanical Engineering.

“The said newspaper report alleged that Otunta directed the said Returning Officer Dr Nwankwojike, not to make further comments on the outcome of the poll without getting clearance.”

Corroborating the VC, Dr Nwankwojike, the Returning Officer, said “at no time did I meet with the VC to discuss the Abia North rerun election or addressed a press conference. I have no authority to speak on the Abia North election matter and I have never discussed same with the VC”.