“NBA Ilesa Branch Clears the Air on False Allegations of ₦150,000 Court Ruling”
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilesa Branch, has swiftly denied a false report that a Magistrate Court in Ilesa ordered a woman to pay ₦150,000 in damages to her boyfriend for failing to visit him after collecting transport fare. The story, which spread widely across media platforms, was described by the NBA Ilesa Branch as “completely unfounded” and based on misinformation.
In a statement released today and signed by the branch chairman, Raymond Oki Esq., the NBA clarified that no such case or court order ever took place. “The NBA Ilesa Branch categorically states that this story is entirely false. There is no Magistrate by the name Akogun Oludare, nor has any case of such nature been brought before any Magistrate Court in Ilesa,” the statement read.
NBA Urges Media to Verify Facts Before Publishing
The association expressed deep concern over the circulation of the unverified story and emphasized the importance of responsible journalism. NBA Ilesa called on both the media and the public to always verify information from reliable and credible sources before sharing or disseminating it.
“We feel compelled to set the record straight and provide accurate information to the public,” Oki said. “We urge media outlets to exercise caution and ensure responsible reporting to prevent unnecessary distractions.”
Apology and Call for Centralized Judicial Database
Meanwhile, TheNigeriaLawyer, the platform that initially published the false report, issued a public apology to its readers. In a statement, it acknowledged the mistake: “We sincerely apologize for publishing the news without verification, as this does not align with our editorial standards.”
Additionally, TheNigeriaLawyer suggested that the NBA could play a leading role in developing a centralized judicial database where legal rulings and other judicial matters could be verified. The platform also called on both federal and state judiciaries to collaborate on such a system to prevent the spread of false information and promote transparency in the judicial process.
Preventing Misinformation in the Legal System
As the NBA Ilesa Branch calls for more accuracy in media reporting, it also highlights the importance of proper channels for legal verification. This incident has underscored the need for a more systematic way of ensuring the public has access to accurate judicial information, free from distortion.
