UPDATE: Online Newspaper Caves To ‘Pressure’ Retracts Story On Tolu Ogunlesi
Journalist and writer, Tolu Ogunlesi has denied writing the much talked about article by The Economist in which former President Goodluck Jonathan was described as an “ineffectual buffoon”.
The Economist has an anonymous policy, which means that a writer’s name is not attached to their articles.
But a report by SIGNAL on Friday identified Ogunlesi as the alleged writer of the said article.
However, Ogunlesi who currently works as a ministerial aide to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelemah took to his Twitter handle on Saturday to deny writing the article as seen below:
I'm surprised and amused by the allegations that I wrote or contributed to the Economist 'ineffectual buffoon' piece. I did not. 1/5
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) January 30, 2016
While flattered to be associated with the Economist, whose literary style I immensely admire, I cannot claim ANY credit for that piece 2/5
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) January 30, 2016
I am not and have never been one to be anonymous when making journalistic comments about people. I do not hide behind anonymity 3/5
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) January 30, 2016
I will be sending a letter to the online publication that fabricated the allegation, asking for a retraction and a public apology 4/5
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) January 30, 2016
While SIGNAL awaits Mr. Ogunlesi’s letter calling for an apology and retraction, the Editorial Board of SIGNAL stands by the report.
