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Claim: A Facebook user shared a Punch report that fans are advocating for the release of Channels TV host, Seun Okinbaloye, over a controversial interview.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s findings show that Punch newspaper never published such an article about the Channels Television journalist. Furthermore, contrary to the report that Seun made controversial statements in an interview that warranted his arrest, details of the original interview show the “Politics Today” host discussed his career growth.
Full Text
Channels Television host Seun Okinbaloye is renowned for his sharp, witty newsroom questions, darted at political officeholders, public officials, and private citizens, concerning national problems, often culminating in heated arguments and cold conversations.
Recently, a Facebook user shared a Punch newspaper publication stating that supporters of the Politics Today host are protesting for his release, after his arrest over a controversial interview.
“Fans advocate for Seun Okinbaloye’s release after controversial interview,” the headline of the publication reads.
Details of the alleged news reports stated that Seun’s fans were “shocked” by the government’s decision to detain the journalist for “leaking” confidential information that could negatively impact the country’s economy. Consequently, the government has decided to place him under house arrest.
Given the personality involved and the sensitivity of the claim, DUBAWA decided to verify the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA noticed the report shared by the claimant was published on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. We checked Punch newspaper for news reports published on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, and did not find the alleged news report.
We further did a keyword search on both Seun’s arrest and his supporters’ protest, but did not find any credible news reports about the alleged incident.
The news report further mentioned “KEEP BOMBING TV” as the programme Seun allegedly uttered controversial statements that got him detained by the government. However, when DUBAWA checked the programme on YouTube, we noticed that contrary to the details shared in the news report, Seun only discussed his career growth.
Furthermore, the report mentioned that Seun was earning on a digital platform called “PrimeAura,” a discussion that was never witnessed in the original interview.
Meanwhile, contrary to the claim that the Channels Television correspondent has been detained, DUBAWA noticed via his Facebook handle that he has been active at the Channels Television studio. He even posted on Jan. 22, 2026, an excerpt of the interview he had with a member of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s findings show that Punch newspaper did not publish any report about fans protesting for Seun’s release. Moreover, contrary to the claim that Seun made controversial statements in an interview, the Channels Television journalist discussed only his career growth. Therefore, the claim is false.
