A Nigerian Online Newspaper, the Peoples Gazette, has suspended it’s reporter, Ayoola Babalola, for one month without pay for violating the newspaper’s social media policy.
The Peoples Gazette announced the suspension of the Reporter in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement is contained in a memo signed by the Deputy Managing Editor, Boladale Adekoya made available to Newsmen.
Recall that the leaked audio conversation in contest alleged that Obi ahead of the presidential election solicited help from Oyedepo to talk to his people and in the conversation described the election as a “religious war.”
However, Obi, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, described the audio as fake.
He further raised an alarm that immense pressure was being mounted on him to leave the country.
The online media outfit said the decision by the management followed after carefully reviewing the reporter’s responses to online trolls.
Peoples Gazette said it concluded that he did not act with the decorum and professionalism expected of the organisation’s employees.
“Still, while the organization sympathises and stands strongly with Babalola and all staff members who come frequently under social media onslaught, the manner with which colleagues handle online trolls is what distinguishes us as professionals,” it said.
