Ighodalo slams Oshiomhole N20bn suit for defamation
Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Edo State's September 21 election, has filed a N20 billion defamation suit against Senator Adams Oshiomhole over comments about the Planwell scheme.Ighodalo, through his counsel, Ayo Asala (SAN) & Associates, also requested an immediate and unequivocal retraction and apology for the false, defamatory, and malicious remarks, which should be published in at least two (2) national television networks and three (3) national newspapers.
The PDP candidate stated that Oshiomhole's allegations are baseless, false, and malicious, and that they are yet another example of the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District's recent defamatory fabrications and statements.
He went on to say that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story is a figment of Oshiomhole's imagination, intended to denigrate his good character and reputation for the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of Oshiomhole's party and candidate in the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election.
A letter from Ighodalo's lawyers, dated September 16, 2024, and addressed to Oshiomhole, reads, "We are counsel to Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party's Governorship candidate in the upcoming Edo State Governorship election." It is our understanding that at a campaign rally for your party on Saturday, September 14, 2024, you stated that our aforementioned client, Dr. Ighodalo, was associated with or participated in an alleged pyramid scheme known as 'PLANWELL' in which numerous Nigerians were defrauded of their hard-earned money.
"This false and unfounded statement of yours was broadcast live on television and has received extensive coverage in electronic and social media. It is unfortunate that, despite your status as an elder and holder of public office, you appear to have developed a habit of spewing false statements in the public domain solely to achieve your political goals.
"This baseless, unfounded, false, and malicious allegation is just the latest in a long line of defamatory fabrications and statements you've made about our client. Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth to the present day is entirely public. Our client has no connection to and could never have been involved in any way with the alleged 'PLANWELL' scheme, with which you have seriously defamed our client's reputation."
Ighodalo went on to say, "It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said 'PLANWELL' scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever, is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely to denigrate the good character and reputation of our client for the purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Ed
According to the letter, Ighodalo is determined to ensure that the allegations against him are addressed.
"Our client has received numerous calls and other contacts from concerned members of the public who heard your alleged allegations on electronic and social media, resulting in enormous unwarranted reputational damage caused by the lies and baseless fabrications of which you have become the purveyor.
"Our client is determined to ensure that these defamatory lies and fabrications that you have placed in the public domain are not ignored.
"In light of the foregoing, our client demands the following: i) An immediate and unequivocal retraction and apology for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements, to be published in at least two (2) national television networks and three (3) nationally circulated newspapers.
"Pay our client 20 billion Naira in damages for the false, defamatory, and malicious statements made herein. Take notice that our client has directed that we immediately institute appropriate proceedings against you for damages in the amount of Twenty (20) Billion Naira (N20,000,000,000.00) for your false, malicious, irresponsible, and damaging statements made against our client without any foundation. Take note that such action will be taken without any further notice or correspondence with you in that regard," it added.
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