- By Kamil Opeyemi
The last has not been heard over the allegation by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga who fingered the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, Peter Obi, of being behind the August planned protests by Nigerians.
Obi’s lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, has written a letter to Onanuga demanding for N5bn in damages.
The lawyer also demanded a retraction of the alleged defamatory statement against Obi.
In the letter addressed to Onanuga, Ejesieme refuted the allegations.
He described them as “false and malicious.”
The letter stated: “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.”
He argued that the publication has harmed Obi’s reputation.
In addition to the demand for N5 billion in damages, Obi’s lawyers warned of imminent legal action if Onanuga fails to comply with their demands. “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,” the letter read.
On July 20th, Onanuga had, through his X handle accused Obi of plotting the nationwide protests with his supporters.
He had said Obi should be held responsible for any violence that erupts in the country.
“Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
“And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.” He wrote.
Obi’s lawyers had said that the same post was circulated on many other platforms such as WhatsaApp, Facebook and others.