Retract your allegations in 7days or face legal action- Dogara hits at Jibrin
Thu Jul 28, 2016 09:34:am National
3.8K By Buchi Obichie
As the ongoing war-of-words continues in the House of Representatives over the 'padded budget', Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the embattled former Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, to retract the libellous allegations against him and other principal officers or face legal battle.
In a letter released through his legal counsel, Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, Speaker Dogara also asked Jibrin to tender an unreserved apology for his allegations.
However, Jibrin has declared his readiness to meet Dogara in court, daring the Speaker to do his worst.
In the letter, the Speaker claimed that the allegations made by Jibrin constitute a clear case of libel, aimed at tarnishing his image at home and abroad.
He stated: "By the said publication and without putting to the public any shred of evidence, our client is portrayed as a criminal, corrupt, dishonest, fraudulent, dishonourable and unfit to hold the position of Speaker of House of Representatives.
"Our client's reputation has further been brought down in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and he has been thrown into public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule.
"Consequently, we consider your publication on the matter as not only libellous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta, owing to your recent removal as the chairman of House Committee on Appropriation.
"The said publication is also aimed at causing disaffection between Nigerians and members of the House of Representatives.
"Sequel to the above, we have to request you to submit immediately to us a clear and unqualified apology and retraction of the publication in an equally conspicuous position in all the print and electronic media where the publication appeared.
"Take notice that in the event of your failure/refusal to comply with the above mentioned demands within seven days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law."
In a letter released through his legal counsel, Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, Speaker Dogara also asked Jibrin to tender an unreserved apology for his allegations.
However, Jibrin has declared his readiness to meet Dogara in court, daring the Speaker to do his worst.
In the letter, the Speaker claimed that the allegations made by Jibrin constitute a clear case of libel, aimed at tarnishing his image at home and abroad.
He stated: "By the said publication and without putting to the public any shred of evidence, our client is portrayed as a criminal, corrupt, dishonest, fraudulent, dishonourable and unfit to hold the position of Speaker of House of Representatives.
"Our client's reputation has further been brought down in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and he has been thrown into public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule.
"Consequently, we consider your publication on the matter as not only libellous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta, owing to your recent removal as the chairman of House Committee on Appropriation.
"The said publication is also aimed at causing disaffection between Nigerians and members of the House of Representatives.
"Sequel to the above, we have to request you to submit immediately to us a clear and unqualified apology and retraction of the publication in an equally conspicuous position in all the print and electronic media where the publication appeared.
"Take notice that in the event of your failure/refusal to comply with the above mentioned demands within seven days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law."
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