Caption:Nuhu Ribadu
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has demanded a retraction of a defamatory publication by the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, accusing him to be party to a plan to rig the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Apart from the retraction in various forms and on different platforms, the NSA also demanded N10 billion in compensation to avoid litigation.
This was contained in a statement by Ribadu’s lawyers dated September 14 and titled ‘Defamatory Publication against Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the statement, the said publication captioned “$2m was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies,” constitutes a malicious and libelous statement that “has brought our Client into public disdain and odium.”
The statement read in full, “We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our Client), in response to your press statement titled “EDO 2024: PRESIDENCY’S MOVE TO INTERFERE, MANIPULATE GUBER POLL USING DSS, NSA UNCOVERED.”
The publication falsely alleges, inter alia, that, “$2m was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies.”
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This malicious and libelous Statement has brought our Client into public disdain and odium. Your portrayal of our Client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo State, is entirely false and damaging to his reputation. As a renowned career police officer and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our Client has consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to fighting corruption.
It is inconceivable that he would be involved in such odious acts.
Given the extensive damage your false and baseless allegations have caused our client, we demand:
1. A written apology to our Client.
2. A full retraction of the publication in its entirety.
3. Publication of the retraction in: – A full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers. – Ten reputable and well-read online news sites. – Seven national and international television stations. – Ten radio channels with national and international reach.
4. Payment of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) as damages for reputational and other injuries.
Take notice that if our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with our Client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights.”
