Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has given Abdulmumin Jibrin, the ousted former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, a seven day ultimatum to tender an unreserved apology to him and retract all allegations made against him or face legal action.
According to a statement by the Speaker’s special adviser on Media and Public affairs, Turaki Hassan, the ultimatum was given by Dogara’s lawyer, Joash Amupitan, SAN, in a letter addressed to Jubrin dated Monday, July 25, 2016.
Amupitan said that Jibrin’s allegation of corruption and abuse of office against his client was aimed at tarnishing his image at home and abroad and is a clear case of libel.
The letter reads in part: “By the said publication (referring to Jibrin’s allegation Statement which was published in many print ad electronic media) 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.”
The letter added: “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 (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law.
“If we have to pursue this course, we shall be claiming aggravated and exemplary damages,” it concluded.