– The speaker’s special adviser on media and public affairs, Turaki Hassan, said the demands were part a letter written and addressed to Jibrin
– Speaker Dogara claims that he has been defamed and therefore wants a retraction of all allegations made against him by Jibrin
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Abdulmumin Jibrin, embattled former chairman of the House committee on appropriation, to tender an unreserved apology to him or face legal action.
Abdulmumin Jibrin alleges massive fraud against Dogara
Dogara is alleging that he has been defamed. He also wants a retraction of all allegations made against him by Jibrin.
The speaker’s special adviser on media and public affairs, Turaki Hassan, said the demands were part a letter written and addressed to Jibrin by counsel to Dogara, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) & Co.
It was signed by Professor Joash Amupitan, who is the principal partner of the firm, and titled: ‘REQUEST FOR A RETRACTION AND AN APOLOGY OF A LIBELOUS PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY YOU ON MONDAY 25TH JULY, 2016’.
Dogara claims that Jibrin’s allegation that he is corrupt and abuses his office is aimed at tarnishing his image at home and abroad.
He claims further that this allegation amounts to libel.
“The attention of our client has been drawn to a libelous press statement you issued on Monday 25th July 2016 which was made available to members of the press (print and electronic media) titled ‘THE CORRUPT SPEAKER YAKUBU DOGARA AND HIS 3-MAN CABAL’.
“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 libelous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta owing to your recent removal as the chairman of House committee on appropriation.
“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 (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law,” the letter stated.
Jibrin is yet to respond to the letter. However, he had earlier threatened to go legal against Dogara if the latter refuses to defend himself.
Jibrin had recently revealed that Dogara and some principal officers of the House padded the 2016 budget accusing them of high-level corruption.
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