Newsbreak: Peter Obi sues Onanuga for defamation
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Labour Party President candidate in 2023, Peter Obi has sued an official of the Presidency for defamation.
Obi through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , has issued 72hours ultimatum to Bayo Onanuga to tender a public apology over what he labelled “widespread defamation” or face legal action.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Onanuga, had allegedly stated that Peter Obi’s supporters are behind the proposed nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country.
In a letter written by Alex Ejesieme, asked Bayo Onanuga to tender a public apology published in four national newspapers while the former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, demands N5 billion in damages from Onanuga.
The letter titled “REVEALED: PETER OBI’S SUPPORTERS ARE THE PEOPLE PLANNING MAYHEM IN NIGERIA” reads “ We have been briefed and our services retained by Mr. Peter Obi, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Client, and upon whose specific instructions this
correspondence is founded.
Our Client’s attention has been drawn to a widely circulated and damaging
publication titled: REVEALED: Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria: Obi should be heldresponsible for anarchy that was published on your verified “X” (formerly Twitter) handle”@aonanuga 1956″ on hte 20th of July 2024, at about 8:54
AM. This publication was also circulated on various social media platforms including “X*, WhatsApp” Facebook as well as various online and print media such as: Vanguard News
-(Peter Obi should be held responsible for planned nationwide protest – Onanuga – Vanguard News Vanguard – Obi’s supporters, IPOB behind planned nationwide protest, Onanuga insists – Vanguard News (vanguardng); Punch – Presidency plotting to arrest Peter Obi, media
office alleges (punchng. com); The Cable – Peter Obi’s supporters behind planned nationwide protest, Onanuga alleges | TheCable; This Day.
“Our client was minded to ignore the false and malicious campaign of calumny regarding it as the vituperations of one who prefers to express their opinion over understanding or that of a scoffer who, converted by Lady Fool, tries to convert others to foolishness. But as the Good Book says, answering a fool’s stupid words will make one look foolish, but not answering will make them think they are smart – Proverbs 26: 7. In order not to have our Client’s silence misconstrued as acquiescence or admission, our Client saw a need to set the records straight.
“The central theme of your referenced statement from an unbiased and objective examination thereof, is that our Client is an anarchist who whilst working in consonance with terrorist groups, has championed the mobilization of several nationwide protests ni a bitter and undemocratic bid to usurp the Federal Government possibly as restitution for failure at the 2023 presidential elections.
“Our Client denies the entirety of the falsehood contained in the said
publication and insists that there is no modicum of truth in the allegations
preferred against him in your published statement that has since gone viral on the internet and its various social media platforms.
“Take Notice that in the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our Client shall be constrained to approach a Court of competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel. Be advised accordingly.
While looking forward to your response, accept the assurances of our highest esteem” He stated.
There have been reports of Nigerian youths circulating on social media about a nationwide protest over the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
The protest is reportedly slated for August 1 to 15.
