ARISE News has permanently barred Anthony Kila from appearing on its programmes. In a statement on Facebook, the station said it contacted Kila on October 3 about questions over his academic qualifications, and he asked for time but had not responded 10 days later. Former senator Babafemi Ojudu, who said he knows Kila personally, first challenged him to list the institutions he attended, his qualifications and his supervisors, and later urged him to disclose his history, withdraw any false claims and make restitution, while calling for compassion for his family. Political economist Pat Utomi drew criticism online after describing Kila as a smart and good man, though he said he had never seen Kila's certificates and could not vouch for them. Critics said the issue was about verifiable qualifications.