Olatunji’s resignation comes shortly after the management of the online newspaper apologised to Gbajabiamila, over the report published on its platform on January 29, 2024.
Segun Olatunji, the General Editor of First News, has tendered his resignation following the controversy surrounding the online newspaper’s report about Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Olatunji’s resignation comes shortly after the management of the online newspaper apologised to Gbajabiamila, over the report published on its platform on January 29, 2024.
Olatunji was arrested and assaulted for days by personnel of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Recounting his ordeal at the hands of the military personnel who kidnapped him, Olatunji said he was first put in a cell where his hands and legs were cuffed.
Gunmen in military uniform kidnapped Olatunji when they invaded his residence at Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state, on March 15.
Speaking at a press briefing organised by the leaderships of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and International Press Institute (IPI), the journalist said he was in chains for about three days.
“At first, they put me in a cell. There I was left with leg and handcuffs. And at a point, one of the officers came and tightened the right leg and the right hand and I was there growing in pain," he narrated. "And they didn’t loosen it until about two or three days after.”
Olatunji said he could “still feel the pains” on his hands and legs.
In his resignation letter dated May 8, 2024 and addressed to the Publisher/Managing Director, First Media Network Limited, Olatunji, said, “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.”
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