Popular Arise TV journalist, Rufai Oseni has attacked people who loot public funds, use proceeds of such looting to set up their private business and then begin to search for honest people to manage these businesses for them.
The Arise TV Morning Show co-anchor wrote on his X handle:
“People will steal public funds, set up private businesses and start looking for honest people to manage the business for them. Reality of Nigeria today.”
Following Rufai’s statement, some Nigerians on X immediately drew some conclusions and insinuated that Mr. Rufai Oseni is indirectly attacking his boss and Founder of Arise TV, Chief Nduka Obaigbena and other individuals. Chief Nduka Obaigbena in the recent past had running battles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms scandal that originated during administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
In 2016, during the probe of a former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) by the EFCC over alleged mismanagement of $2.1 billion meant to purchase arms to fight the Boko haramI insurgency, the name of Chief Nduka Obaigbena, who is also the publisher of This Day newspapers was mentioned as one of those who allegedly got funds from the money.
The Arise TV Boss, based on the testimony provided by Col. Dasuki, was accused of receiving the sum of N670 million from the money to provide some positive coverage of then President Goodluck Jonathan in the media during the 2015 presidential election. EFCC invited the media mogul for questioning and took him into custody for questioning on 29th January 2016.
It was later reported that Chief Nduka Obaigbena wrote an undertaking to the EFCC to return N350 million before he was released while also promising to return the remaining balance within 14 days.
Meanwhile as far back as 2006, before Arise TV was founded, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena was also fingered in another controversial deal involving the Bayelsa State Government then headed by Goodluck Jonathan. According to a report by a UK tabloid, Daily Mail, Nduka Obaigbena allegedly received the sum of $1 million from the Bayelsa State government to help him organise ThisDay Music Festival, which took place in Lagos.
The music festival attracted some international stars like Beyonce and Jay Z. It was alleged that Mr Obaigbena often lines up financial bonanzas from numerous governors, ministers and other top government officials to finance his business activities.
In 2013, Chief Obaigbena launched the international TV news channel called Arise News.
These past allegations probably made Nigerians who commented on Rufai’s post to insinuate that Rufai’s statement was indirectly targeted at people like the Arise TV owner, Chief Nduka Obaigbena.