THE SOCIAL MEDIA STORY THAT MATAWALLE HAS BEEN DECLARED WANTED IS FAKE AND MALICIOUS: Our attention has been drawn to mischievous social media stories that were cooked in an article published by Nigerian Tribune online on 18th June 2023, falsely claiming that the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) has declared His Excellency Bello Matawalle wanted. It is important to clarify that this information is entirely baseless and a product of misinformation that has no traceable source.The EFCC as a reputable law enforcement Agency follows due process in its operations and does not engage in such haphazard or arbitrary declarations of individuals as wanted without concrete evidence and legal procedures. It is essential for media outlets to verify the accuracy of their reports before publishing them, particularly when the reports involve sensitive matters such as legal actions against public figures.Hon. (Dr.) Bello Matawalle has been around in the country and has not been declared wanted by any credible authority. This false information not only tarnishes the reputation of Matawalle but also undermines the credibility of the medium responsible for publishing the false story and journalism as a profession.It should be noted that the EFCC itself has responded to that false publication in its press release clarifying that, “the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency, including the DSS, to effect his arrest”.We, therefore, urge the media to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and impartiality when reporting their news items to avoid misleading the public. Similarly, misinformation can have serious consequences and can significantly impact the lives of those involved.We demand an immediate retraction of that falsehood and an apology from the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Tribune. If this demand is not met within three (3) working days, we shall seek legal redress on the aforementioned libelous matter.Signed:Lawal Umar Maradun, FNIPR, ARPAPPS and Media Aide to HE Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON, FSESN, FNATE