Politics

N5bn suit: We’ll meet in court, Onanuga tells Obi

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has vowed to challenge the defamation suit against him by the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, in court.

Obi had, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Onanuga to retract his alleged defamatory statement against him.

The former governor of Anambra State gave the ultimatum after Onanuga alleged that Obi’s supporters are behind the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country.

Onanuga also accused the LP supporters of destabilising Nigeria by staging “a civilian coup” against President Tinubu, adding: “If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason. Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason.”

The LP later denied the allegations.

Obi, in a letter by his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), is asking the presidential spokesman to tender a public apology published in four national newspapers over the “widespread defamation and libel” or face legal action.

Presidency: Obi should be held for anarchy

He is also demanding N5 billion in damages from Onanuga.

Reacting via a post on X on Tuesday, Onanuga said he is not afraid to face legal action, adding that he has yet received the defamation suit letter from Obi’s lawyer.

He stated: “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.”

Nigerians in some sections of the country have planned to embark on a week-long protest over hunger and insecurity.

While some groups and individuals have distanced themselves from the planned protest, others insisted it must hold to draw the attention of the government and the international community to the sufferings of Nigerians.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Wike approves N70,000 minimum wage for FCTA workers

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approved N70,000 as the minimum…

24 mins ago

DSS arrests Ogun 2023 governorship candidate, Adebutu

The operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the Peoples Democratic Party…

2 hours ago

Zenith Bank to unveil tech fair on Thursday

Zenith Bank will on Thursday, November 21, 2024, unveil the fourth edition of the bank’s…

2 hours ago

Tinubu lauds global alliance against hunger, poverty at G20 summit

President Bola Tinubu has commended the creation of the global alliance against hunger and poverty,…

4 hours ago

Governor approves N75,000 minimum wage for Benue workers

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has approved a minimum wage of N75,000 for workers in…

5 hours ago

Court sends ex-bank manager to prison for fraud

The Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, on Monday, November…

5 hours ago

This website uses cookies.