Channels Television has denied allegations made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, regarding the ownership of the land where the station’s Abuja headquarters is located.
Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike questioned the legality of the land allocation to the media organisation’s headquarters situated in Guzape, Abuja. According to him, the broadcaster was benefiting financially from a property allocated by the government.
“The land where Channels Television is built is public property. It was allocated to you, not purchased,” the minister stated, while also defending the payment made for the live interview session.
In response during its Thursday broadcast, Channels Television rejected the minister’s remarks, describing them as misleading and inaccurate. The station clarified that the land was legally allocated to the company on March 6, 2007, for commercial purposes by the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The broadcaster added that all statutory payments, fees, and charges related to the allocation were fully settled.
Channels Television also defended the fees charged for airing the minister’s live media chat, explaining that such broadcasts require significant operational logistics, including the deployment of technical crews, outside broadcasting equipment, and dedicated airtime.
“Our rates are publicly known. As a broadcast organisation, if several hours of airtime are reserved for a programme, payment is expected,” the station explained.
The media organisation further reaffirmed its commitment to journalism and public accountability, stressing that it would continue to ask important questions while maintaining the credibility it has built over the years.
Channels Television also called on the FCT minister to clarify claims concerning land allocations to journalists, insisting that all legal obligations tied to such allocations must be properly fulfilled.