The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour, has urged the arrest of journalist Umar Audu. Audu went undercover to uncover corruption in the certification process in the country.
During a television interview on Thursday, Favour criticised the journalist for having his passport stamped and acquiring certificates without being physically present. Favour expressed concern over the reporter serving in both 2019 and 2023, suggesting potential misconduct.
He stated, “Your passport was stamped while you were not available there. Now, and that aside, this guy served in 2019. And he still served again in 2023.”
Favour accused the reporter of implicating the government and undermining the credibility of institutions such as the Immigration and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through his undercover activities. He insisted that the reporter should be arrested for attempting to implicate various entities.
“He has to be arrested. This guy needs to be arrested because, I know, he’s a reporter who is trying to clear out some things but on that note, you are trying to implicate some persons now because, in a sense, you’re trying to implicate the government, the NYSC, and the immigration,” he emphasised.
When questioned about whether the reporter’s investigation revealed loopholes that needed addressing, the NANS president acknowledged the possibility but urged the government to swiftly investigate and take necessary actions in response.