The Concerned Christian Youth Forum has dismissed reports linking an aircraft involved in the Asaba/Ogwashi-Uku incident to Dunamis International Gospel Centre, describing the publication as false, malicious and misleading.
The group said the church does not own any private jet, contrary to claims contained in a trending report published by The Cable News and amplified by some blogs and social media platforms.
Convener of the forum, James Paul Adama, in a statement issued on Friday, said investigations conducted by the organisation showed that the allegation had no factual basis.
He stated, “After careful inquiry and review, we affirm categorically that Dunamis International Gospel Centre does not own any private jet. Any suggestion that the aircraft involved in the Asaba/Ogwashi-Uku incident belongs to the church is false.”
Adama noted that although the church has the financial capacity to acquire an aircraft for evangelism and outreach, it has consistently maintained that it does not own one.
He accused those behind the publication of deliberately spreading misinformation capable of misleading members of the public and damaging the church’s reputation.
According to him, the publication amounted to reckless journalism and highlighted the dangers of disseminating unverified information in the digital age.
The forum warned that the spread of false reports could attract sanctions under existing Nigerian laws, including provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
It specifically cited Section 24 of the Act, which criminalises the dissemination of false information intended to cause annoyance, hatred, intimidation, needless anxiety or reputational injury.
The group also referenced Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act, which prescribes penalties for publishing false reports capable of causing public fear or disturbing public peace.
It added that defamation provisions under the Criminal Code provide punishment for individuals found guilty of knowingly publishing defamatory material.
The forum urged media organisations, bloggers and social media users to verify sensitive information through official channels before publication.
It further advised members of the public to disregard the report linking the aircraft incident to Dunamis Church.
“The church reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies against those who knowingly disseminate false information intended to cause reputational harm,” the statement added.
The CCYF called for greater responsibility in news reporting, warning that the consequences of misinformation extend beyond headlines and could undermine public trust in the media.