NUJ Disowns Journalist Over Blackmail Mess

***It’s A Big Lie–Journalist Tells Aproko247

One Odimegwu Onwumere, known to oppose the administration of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, has reacted to an allegation that he attempted to blackmail Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. In a phone chat with Aproko247, when contacted by the magazine to get his reaction on the accusation, said some elements in the government were attempting to tarnish his image because of his stand on some government policies.

In a press statement released on Thursday by the Asaba branch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Delta State, the body dissociated itself from Onwumere, “who claimed to be a journalist.”

The NUJ alleged in the statement that Onwumere has been going round the country extorting money from top government functionaries, politicians and top industry players . His stock in trade is blackmail through a website being managed by Mascot Uzor kalu, Nnanna Kalu, Odiuko Eunice Kalu and Orji Uzor Kalu, the statement also alleged.

It further accused Onwumere of defrauding politicians through threats to publish stories that will damage their reputations, while commending the police for arresting Onwumere who was described as a fraudster by NUJ.

But speaking with Aproko247 on Thursday afternoon, Onwumere said, “I am doing fine. I am presently in Rivers State. Don’t mind them, that is how they’ve been doing to tarnish my name. I have not been to Delta State lately. Thanks for calling to verify your story.”

Meanwhile, efforts made by Aproko247 to speak with the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chris Chike Ogeah, were not successful as he could not be reached as at press time.