Posted by By Tobi Soniyi, Abuja on
The Federal Government on Tuesday said that it had taken over the ownership and management of The Sun newspaper.
The Federal Government on Tuesday said that it had taken over the ownership and management of The Sun newspaper.
It however said that it had no plans to sack the workers of the publishing firm.
The government said that its taking over of the newspaper would not lead to its collapse or closure as it was prepared to run the affairs of the company.
The position was contained in an affidavit filed by the Federal Government before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The affidavit, filed by government counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, was in opposition to a motion filed by the newspaper seeking variation of freezing order made by the court.
The Sun founded by former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Kalu, had asked the court to exclude its three operational accounts from the order freezing the 27 accounts of the company.
Its lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) had told the court that the three accounts were meant for the running of the company and payment of the salaries and emoluments of the members of staff.
In the counter affidavit, Federal Government said that, having taking over the ownership and management of the newspaper, the applicant lacked the locus to seek de-freezing order of the three accounts.