PUNCH Goofed, Matawalle Not Part Of Five Star Retirement

A Public Relations firm, Lambert and Curtis has accused the Punch Newspapers of publishing a defamatory story against the governor of Zamfara state, Mohammed Matawalle, under the heading, ” Five-star Retirement: Matawalle, Wike, Okowa, Umahi, Ganduje to get mansions, exotic cars”.

Lead Partner, Lambert and Curtis, Deyemi Saka in a rejoinder sent to Newsnow said it’s unfortunate that Punch Newspapers either out of genuine error or mischief would commit such editorial ‘harakiri’.

The statement titled “Count Matawalle out of it” read in part; ” In its publication of April 8 2023 and a report captioned “Five-star retirement: Matawalle, Wike, Okowa, Umahi, Ganduje to get mansions, exotic cars” Punch Newspapers either out of genuine error or mischief listed Governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle of Zamfara who is our client as a beneficiary of humongous retirement package.

“This is untrue, fictitious, erroneous, misleading and malicious reportage borne out of poor and lazy journalism.

“A little research would have revealed to the editorial board of the Punch Newspaper that the law was repealed in 2019 by Governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle.

“The Zamfara State House of Assembly repealed the law and Governor Matawalle promptly assented to the bill in November 2019.

“I expect the management of Punch Newspaper to retract this malicious claim and also tender an apology to Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.”