A civil society organisation, the Society for Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN), has accused activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, of allegedly receiving $250,000 to run a smear campaign against the Dangote Refinery.
The group made the claim in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its coordinator, Dr. Chima Ubeku. SRLN alleged that the money was paid by an agent linked to a prominent fuel importer to sponsor negative reports against the refinery.
According to the group, Sahara Reporters had recently published a story alleging that the Dangote Refinery was importing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with sulphur content above Nigeria’s approved standard. SRLN described the report as false and aimed at damaging the refinery’s reputation.
The organisation claimed that Sowore had already received $150,000 in cash earlier in the week and was expected to get the remaining $100,000 after delivering the said publication.
It questioned how the refinery, which is producing petrol for local consumption and export, could be accused of importing the same product from the United Kingdom.SRLN also argued that the UK does not export substandard petroleum products and alleged that Sowore resorted to local blackmail schemes after foreign funding for NGOs reduced during the administration of former U.S.
President Donald Trump.The group further alleged that Sowore had previously made failed attempts to extort money from the Dangote Refinery before turning to what it called a campaign of defamation.