Digital Switch-Over: Pinnacle Communications dismisses report of Fraud charge, fake news

Pinnacle Communications Limited has dismissed as untrue reports alleging that the firm is being investigated by the anti-graft agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project. A top source in the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the report as “fake news” being peddled by mischief makers and urged discerning members of the public to discountenance the said report.

According to the official, Pinnacle Communications has not done anything wrong because there was proof that the company executed the DSO project, stressing that the allegation of fraud was fake news promoted by an aggrieved rival company based in South Africa. “Nigerians are aware of the commissioning of the projects in question. The one in Abuja was commissioned by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo while that of Kaduna was done by Governor Nasiru el Rufai. Would these two highly respected individuals be part of any shady deals?”, the official queried.

The source further stated that Pinnacle Communications got the licence to execute the DSO project when Emeka Mba was the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), adding that due process was followed in the award of the licence. There has been insinuations that the current Director General of the NBC, Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu and Pinnacle Communications were being investigated by an anti-graft agency over alleged N2.5 billion DSO contract. The report also alleged that Pinnacle Communications was not qualified to handle the project which is being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

The NBC in a swift reaction to the allegation said it was not aware of any investigation by the ICPC on its Director General, MallamKawu. The commission’s spokesperson, Hajia Maimuna Jimada, said the NBC “is not aware of any fraud case involving the DG, and therefore not aware of any ICPC investigation on the DG.” Jimada said the commission had been carrying out the Digital Switch-Over scheme with utmost diligence and transparency, and would continue to do that till the project was completed across the country.