The article critiques an investigative report by The Post and Courier titled “UNCOVERED: Power & Polo” for inaccuracies and sensationalism regarding Sambo Dasuki and his family, highlighting historical contexts of their persecution. The piece questions the legitimacy of media narratives linking past actions to present corruption trials without formal investigations. It stresses the need for a fair assessment of the Dasuki family’s legacy.
The investigative piece titled “UNCOVERED: Power & Polo” published by The Post and Courier has been critiqued for its fragmented narrative that supposedly distorts journalism and historical facts, particularly concerning the Dasuki family. Critics, including Yushau A. Shuaib, argue that it perpetuates media trials that overshadow the actual quest for justice and integrity regarding Nigeria’s past, especially regarding the legacy of figures like Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki.
The report highlights the Dasuki family’s struggles, tracing their persecution from the dethronement of Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki to the scrutiny faced by his son, Sambo Dasuki, particularly during General Sani Abacha’s regime and later under President Muhammadu Buhari. Shuaib condemns the resurfacing of these issues as media-driven persecution, especially through the lens of Sambo Dasuki’s transactions in Aiken, South Carolina, connected to claims of money laundering.
Sambo Dasuki’s alleged purchase of Green Hill Farms in 2002 for $950,000 has attracted attention, with accusations that it was funded through dubious means. The report, however, lacks clarity on whether this acquisition has been formally investigated, raising concerns about its claims and the motivations behind them, particularly since the purchase predates his national security advisership.
Critics note that associating a nearly 20-year-old real estate transaction with current allegations of corruption is misleading and lacks contextual understanding. The media’s sensational portrayal often overlooks the actual timeline and the absence of formal inquiries regarding Dasuki’s financial dealings, reiterating that this is part of ongoing biases against the Dasuki family.
The report not only misrepresents the family legacy but also employs disparaging language against Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, mischaracterizing a respected figure’s contributions to Nigeria. Despite his significant status in business and diplomacy, which included managing vast estates and aiding national and regional developments, this is overshadowed by sensational claims.
Furthermore, while the narrative attempts to link these historical figures to ongoing corruption trials, much of the context around Dasuki’s role during the Boko Haram insurgency is ignored, particularly regarding military successes he oversaw as NSA. Critics assert that under his leadership, the military regained control over various towns, contradicting current narratives that simplify his legacy to corruption alone.
In concluding, Shuaib hopes the current administration will conduct more equitable investigations rather than furthering past political agendas. He emphasizes the need for clarity and fairness in reporting narratives surrounding figures like Sambo Dasuki, highlighting the dangers of media sensationalism and the necessity of acknowledging historical contexts in assessing legacies and integrity.
Shuaib emphasizes the need for fair representation of the Dasuki family’s legacy and a call for justice to replace media sensationalism. The ongoing narrative about gifts, corruption, and allegations against the Dasuki family highlights the critical need for responsible journalism and contextual understanding, rather than undue persecution or speculative storytelling.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
