Staffers of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, FRIN, Ibadan, have asked the public to disregard story by Sahara Reporters that Prof Adesola Adepoju returned the sum of N17 million to the institute’s Cooperative Investment and Credit Society.
The news platform, in its report, had reported that Adepoju returned N17 million, part of the over N50 million meant for cooperative societies in the institution which had been diverted in 2020.
In a chat with OYOINSIGHT.COM on the authenticity of the story, the CICS chairman, Olugbenga Erinle said that the online medium goofed, adding that “One would expect that Sahara Reporters would carry out their due diligence before releasing such. Their report that Prof Adesola Adepoju returned N17m to FRIN CICS is entirely false. This report should be disregarded in its entirety.”
Another top staff of the institute who didn’t want name in print as he was not authorized to speak, said that some people are bent on drawing FRIN backward.
”I have been part of FRIN for many years. I can tell you this man in question has done well for us as DG. Why would they be tarnishing his image every time. I think it is time this man took action against Sahara Reporters and anybody found culpable.
”I am not defending this man and God knows. But why would you publish something of such magnitude without any fact? That is yellow journalism. A credible media platform won’t do that. Prof Adepoju should use every legal means to seek redress. If anybody is sure of the allegation, he or she should contact the anti-graft agencies.”
