Defamation: Ex-CBN Gov, Emefiele Threatens Akpabio With N25 Billion Lawsuit
The immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has threatened to take legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for defamation.
Emefiele’s legal team has stated that if an apology is not issued, the embattled former CBN boss will seek N25 billion in damages from the Senate President.
In a letter dated February 19, 2024, Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, criticized Akpabio for his statement on February 18, 2024, where he mentioned, “We don’t know what to charge Emefiele with.”
During a thanksgiving service in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, Akpabio had accused Emefiele of leaving the Nigerian economy in disarray and claimed that the government was unsure of the charges to bring against the former CBN chief.
Emefiele, in response, highlighted in his letter that Akpabio implied that the current hardships in Nigeria are a result of the policies of the previous administration.
It also said it portrayed Emefiele as “A serial offender whose action is responsible for all the hardship experienced by Nigerians today.
“A person who has committed offences that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offences to prefer a charge against him.”
It was alleged that Akpabio was guilty of subjudice, as he had been taken to court and was now in the process of defending himself.
The accuser expressed concern that being the leader of the legislative body, Akpabio should have been aware that his remarks were detrimental to the court’s integrity and autonomy.
The accuser claimed that Akpabio was in violation of subjudice, having faced charges in court and currently in the midst of his defence.
The accuser found it troubling that, as the head of the legislature, Akpabio should have recognized that his comments were undermining the court’s integrity and independence.
“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 is considered clearly defamatory of Our Client
“These baseless and false allegations clearly defame the character of Our Client and have 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,” the letter read in part.
