ThisDay disowns journalist Stanley Nkwazema arrested over raid at Odili’s house

Justice Mary Odili

The management of ThisDay Newspapers has dissociated itself from a journalist Stanley Nkwazema who was paraded by the police on Thursday over his alleged involvement in the invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s house in Abuja.

Mr Nkwazema was among 14 persons paraded over the incident at the Force headquarters in Abuja.

The newspaper in a statement signed by its managing editor Bolaji Adebiyi said Nkwazema resigned 15 years ago after reporting sports.

“The attention of the management of THISDAY NEWSPAPERS has been drawn to the news making the rounds that Mr. Stanley Nkwazema, one of those suspected to have invaded the home of Justice Mary Odili claimed to be a staff and Contributing Editor of THISDAY,” the statement read.

“Contrary to his claim, Mr. Nkwazema is neither a Staff of THISDAY nor a Contributing Editor. He was a Sports Correspondent and resigned more than 15 years ago.

“However, occasionally, he, like hundreds of other readers of the newspaper, sends for publication articles and analyses and is usually obliged, a privilege THISDAY gives to some of its ex-staff. That does not in any way make him a staff and contributing Editor of THISDAY.”

The newspaper further said that since Nkwazema’s resignation, it had never contracted him to investigate any story, adding that it also had no knowledge of his alleged investigation of a story leading to the invasion of the Supreme Court justice’s house.

“The police authorities and the general public should therefore note that Mr. Nkwazema, whatever may be his involvement in this matter, was not acting on behalf of THISDAY in any shape or form,” the media company said.