Abuja, Feb. 21, 2024 – Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has threatened to sue the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged defamation.
According to his lawyer, Emefiele will seek N25 billion in damages from the Senate President if an apology is not tendered over the alleged defamation..
Matthew Burkaa, Emefiele’s lawyer, in a letter to the Senate President dated February 19, 2024, faulted a statement credited to Akpabio on February 18, 2024 win the topic “We don’t know what to charge Emefiele with”.
The lawyer accused Akpabio of subjudice, saying that Emefiele was already in court defending himself over allegations of impropriety levelled against him by the Federal Government.
He said it was worrisome that Akpabio, as head of the legislature, should have known that his statement undermined the integrity and independence of the court.
“You are also aware that no single policy was carried out by Our Client without the approval, directive or authorization of the President and/or the Federal Executive Council of which you were a key and powerful member.
“It is pursuant to the above and without delving into the matter presently pending in Court that Our Client has instructed that we write to Your good offices and demand the immediate retraction of Your statement which has gone viral and are considered clearly defamatory of Our Client
“These baseless and false allegations clearly defame the character of Our Client and has also caused him great pains and embarrassment as it has lowered his esteem before the right-thinking members of the Society in addition to the obvious odium and opprobrium from the unsuspecting members of the Society as a result of the falsity contained in that statement.
“We, therefore, have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character and the sum of Twenty-Five Billion Naira (N25,000,000,000) as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard-earned reputation.
“In the event that you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with this legitimate demand, Our Client will be at liberty to seek the appropriate redress available to him under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Whilst anticipating your compliance with the above, kindly accept the assurances of our best regards.” (GBN)
