Edo 2024: Oshiomhole faces possible N20b suit over malicious slander against Ighodalo …C0NTINUE READING HERE >>>
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has been given seven days to retract an alleged “malicious and slanderous statement” reportedly made against Dr Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The Senator, representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly (NASS), was also told to tender both private and public apologies to Dr Ighodalo for the alleged infraction or face a N20 billion legal action.
This is contained in a letter dated August 12, 2024 by Ayo Asala, SAN & Associates, solicitors and lawyers to Ighodalo, whom Senator Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, reportedly slandered maliciously when he appeared on a national television, Arise News.
While appearing on the national television, Oshiomhole was reported to have made very wild and unsubstantiated claims, and lied about the status of Ighodalo’s candidacy.
“Even when cautioned and warned about the fallacy by the moderators of the programme, he maintained his claims and also made other derogatory remarks about Ighodalo, thus directly attacking his person, reputation and integrity last week,” the letter reads in part.
The letter which was sighted by our correspondent, added:
“On or about 7th day of August 2024, our client’s attention was drawn to widely circulated statements made by you while being interviewed on a National Television Station, Arise News, during its Morning Show Program, touching and concerned our clients.
“These statement have also seen widely circulated on various social media platforms including ‘X’ (formally called Twitter), ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘Facebook’ and others.”
Ighodalo’s lawyers then specifically demanded that Oshiomhole should within seven days of receipt of the letter, write a private letter of apology and retraction of the alleged false and defamatory utterances to Ighodalo.
The former Governor of Edo State was also asked to make a further public letter of apology and retraction that will be published on Arise TV and in two national newspapers.
Ighodalo’s lawyers concluded that failure to act on their demands would lead to legal action, involving a claim of N20 billion for damages without any further notice.
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