The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga has said he is not taking his words back regarding allegations made against a former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Onanuga had accused Obi of being behind the planned protests in the country.
Onanuga on Saturday accused Obi’s supporters of sponsoring the planned nationwide protests against Tinubu’s administration, adding that the former Anambra governor would be held responsible for any liabilities that arise from the public demonstrations in August.
But in a swift reaction, the Labour Party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said there was no truth in Onanuga’s allegation, describing it as a figment of his imagination.
Obi, in a letter addressed to Onanuga, via his lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN described the presidential aide’s comments as defamatory to the reputation and personality of Obi.
The lawyer, therefore, demanded the sum of N5 billion in damages and ordered Onanuga to retract his statement via various national dailies in the country.
The letter also mandated the presidential aide to tender an unreserved apology within 72 hours of the receipt of the letter.
But Onanuga later on Tuesday said he had yet to receive any letter from Obi’s lawyer.
He wrote on his X account: “I am still waiting for the letter from Peter Obi’s lawyer threatening a N5 billion suit and demanding an apology to Peter Obi over the planned ‘revolution’.
“Let me just tell Obi and his lawyer: I am not afraid of any legal action. We shall meet in court.”
The letter from Obi’s lawyer reads in part: “It appears you have achieved your insipid motive as well-wishers from all around the globe have inundated him with calls to register their shock. His appellation as “Okwute” (the Rock) notwithstanding, the demeaning and scandalous publication has also caused a serious emotional injury to our Client given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.
“Consequently, we have our Client’s mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than 4 National Dailies to wit: Vanguard, This Day, Punch and the Cable, including your verified “X” handle – “@aonanuga1956”. Our Client also is making an unequivocal demand for monetary damage of N5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira) only for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.”
“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. Be advised accordingly,” the letter added
