By Abidemi Adebamiwa
In today’s world, information spreads like wildfire. We rely on journalism to give us facts and help us understand what’s happening around us. But what happens when the news gets it wrong? When fake or distorted stories take the stage, they don’t just confuse us—they break our trust and damage the credibility of journalism. A recent article by The Nation Newspaper titled “Untold Story of Condemned Fowl Theft Convict” is a glaring example of how misinformation can mislead the public and twist the truth.
*The Case of Segun Olowookere: Mistakes and Distortions*
On December 21, 2024, The Nation Newspaper claimed to have reviewed the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice S.O. Falola in the Segun Olowookere case (Suit No: HKK 2C/2012). This judgment, issued on December 17, 2014, is an official, certified 17-page document. However, the article relied on a fake 33-page version riddled with errors and distortions that misrepresented the facts.
*Key Problems in the Fake Judgment*
*Messed-Up Pagination:*
The real judgment is 17 pages, clearly numbered in order.
The fake version has 33 pages with bizarre numbering like 1, 13, 12, and 2. This chaotic order screams manipulation. The last page of the fake version is also marked as page 17, trying to pass off as authentic.
*Invented Witness Statements:*
The real judgment lists six witnesses, including their actual testimonies.
The fake version adds statements from a fictional police officer named Ogunniyi Emmanuel. This made-up evidence paints a false picture of what happened in court.
*Fake Confessions:*
Olowookere’s real testimony, as recorded on page 6, did not include any confession. The fake document, however, added a made-up confession that was quoted in the article to portray guilt.
*False Ages:*
The real judgment does not mention the ages of the accused. Yet, the article falsely reported their ages as 22 and 21. Where did this information even come from?
*Extra Content:*
Official court judgments never have annexures. The fake version included unrelated, unsigned statements that only added to the confusion and misled readers.
*Court Ruling Misrepresented:*
While the distorted article claimed inaccuracies, it also omitted key findings. For instance, on page 17 of the authentic judgment, Justice Falola acquitted the accused persons—Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Daramola—on four of eight counts. These counts included Count 2 (failure to prove conspiracy to rob Balogun Taye), Count 4 (failure to prove conspiracy to rob Elizabeth Dare), Count 5 (failure to prove armed robbery of Balogun Taye), and Count 7 (failure to prove theft of ground nut oil). Each of these acquittals was based on a lack of evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
*The Governor’s Role and Legal Implications*
Adebayo Mutalabi Ojo, SAN, commented on this case, suggesting that the governor lacked the power to investigate judicial rulings. However, it’s important to clarify that the governor’s actions, as stated by his spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, referred to reviewing claims made by Olowookere’s parents while appealing for clemency—not revisiting the judgment itself. This distinction matters as the Nigerian Correctional Service had already attested to Olowookere’s good behavior during his time in custody.
The claims of judicial overreach are unfounded. The governor’s role here focuses on addressing clemency appeals, which is entirely within his constitutional authority. This process respects the integrity of the judiciary while ensuring fairness for those seeking relief from overly harsh sentences.
*Why This Matters*
These distortions aren’t just mistakes—they’re dangerous. They mislead the public, harm the credibility of journalism, and disrupt trust in the justice system. How did The Nation Newspaper end up using such a flawed document? And why was this story approved for publication without thorough fact-checking?
*Fake News Isn’t Just a Local Problem*
Fake news isn’t unique to Nigeria. Around the world, false stories have created chaos and influenced major events. Remember the 2016 U.S. elections? Fake stories about candidates flooded social media, forcing newsrooms to work overtime verifying facts. In the UK, during the Brexit referendum, misleading claims confused voters on a historic decision. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, lies about vaccines and treatments spread faster than the virus itself, putting lives at risk.
*Learning From the Jayson Blair Scandal*
In 2003, The New York Times faced a massive scandal when journalist Jayson Blair was caught fabricating stories. Blair made up events, invented sources, and even plagiarized, shaking public trust in one of the most respected newspapers in the world. According to NPR’s article, “How a Disgraced Reporter Tested the Public’s Trust in Journalism,” this scandal led to major reforms at The New York Times, including stricter editorial policies and more transparency. Blair’s lies didn’t just damage the paper’s reputation—they made people question the entire journalism industry.
*What Journalists Need to Do*
Journalists have a duty to get it right. Trust is the foundation of journalism, and fake or sloppy reporting breaks that foundation. Reporters must fact-check their sources, verify documents, and avoid sensationalism. The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics reminds us to “seek truth and report it” while minimizing harm. It’s a simple rule, but one that many fail to follow.
*How to Fight Fake News*
*Use Technology*: Tools like AI and blockchain can help verify facts and detect fake documents. These tools make it easier to catch errors before they spread.
*Educate the Public:* Media literacy programs can teach people how to spot fake news and think critically about what they read.
*Make Records Accessible*: Public institutions must provide clear, certified records to reduce the chances of fake versions circulating.
*Setting the Record Straight*
This article builds on the earlier work of Debo Oladinni, titled “Distorted News is Fake News,” published on Newspot Nigeria. Oladinni highlighted the falsehoods in the reporting of the Segun Olowookere case. By expanding on his analysis, I hope to provide even more clarity for readers and ensure the truth is understood. While the Osun State Government is still deciding how to respond to this distorted publication, it’s crucial to keep the public informed and armed with facts.
Fake news doesn’t just confuse—it hurts. It breaks trust, spreads lies, and creates lasting damage. By demanding accountability from journalists and staying vigilant as readers, we can ensure that the truth always finds its way to the surface.
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