FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has claimed that Channels Television received free land for its Abuja headquarters and that many of its staff received land allocations, using this to argue that media organizations are businesses, not charities.
But Channels TV has also officially rebutted the allegations, stating all land fees were fully paid in 2007.
Wike made this claim during a media parley as he questioned if Channels TV paid for the land on which their Abuja station was built, implying it was free.
He also suggested many Channels TV employees received land allocations.
Channels Television in their response: stated on Thursday that the Minister’s claim is “not correct” and that all required fees for the Guzape land were fully paid in 2007.
This confrontation occurred amid heated tensions following a previous televised exchange where Wike expressed anger over political coverage, leading to, as shown in, concerns from stakeholders over media freedom.
While Wike argued that media houses are businesses, Channels TV insists its land was legally and fully acquired.
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