Former Governor of the Central Financial institution of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has vowed to sue the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for alleged defamation.
The Senate President had acknowledged throughout Senator Barinada Mpigi's thanksgiving service on February 18 in Koroma, Tai Native Authorities Space, Rivers State, that President Bola Tinubu's administration was not conscious of the crime they have been to accuse Emefiele of.
He added that the President inherited an financial mess from the previous CBN Governor.
Nonetheless, in a letter from his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), addressed to Akpabio, Emefiele demanded an apology in written type and publication within the media or face a N25 billion lawsuit.
Within the letter dated February 19 and a replica obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, Emefiele alleged that the interpretation of the Senate President's remark meant that he’s a serial offender whose motion is chargeable for all of the hardships skilled by Nigerians.
The letter learn partly: “We’re attorneys for Dr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, the previous Governor of the Central Financial institution of Nigeria (hereinafter known as “our shopper”), at whose behest and directions we’re penning this letter. The above assertion, whether or not taken in its odd, figurative or literal sense, depicted our Buyer as:
“The reason for all of the hardships in Nigeria as we speak is as a result of insurance policies of the earlier authorities.
“A serial killer whose actions are chargeable for all of the hardships Nigerians are experiencing as we speak.
“An individual who has dedicated offenses so quite a few that the federal government doesn’t know which of the offenses can be preferable to cost in opposition to him.”
Emefiele famous that the Senate President’s feedback undermined the integrity of the court docket and its independence, including that it was detrimental to his ongoing trial.
He mentioned: “As President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you’re sure or have motive to know that since August 14, 2023, the Federal Authorities of Nigeria has favored expenses in opposition to our shopper for which he had lengthy sought pleaded. not responsible and is at present defending the identical to exonerate himself and show that he’s not responsible of the mentioned expenses. It’s subsequently disturbing that such a press release must be made by the Head of the Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a matter that’s clearly earlier than the courts.
“Your assertion, with the utmost respect, clearly undermines the dignity and integrity of the Courtroom and its independence and certainly tends to prejudice the case in opposition to our shopper. Having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Courtroom, it is just honest and acceptable that the Courtroom be given the chance to contemplate the problems earlier than it with out undue stress from another department of presidency.”
The previous CBN governor additionally famous that as a minister within the final administration, he attributed the tough financial state of affairs to him as horrible.
He added that with out the approval of the President and/or the Federal Govt Council, as an vital and highly effective member, he couldn’t have accomplished something on his personal.
Emefiele mentioned: “Secondly, Sir, as a senior member of the Bar, a former Governor of a State, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a former Minister below the speedy previous authorities, your assertion highlighting the present financial woes of the land solely on Our Consumer is most appalling and exposes the inaccuracies in Your claims, particularly as you have been a key participant within the speedy previous authorities and labored intently with Our Consumer and certainly witnessed the improvements he launched to the banking sector and the influence on the financial system throughout his tenure, in addition to the function he performed in opposition to all odds in saving Nigeria within the P&ID Saga and the optimistic consequence it yielded for Nigeria.
“You’re additionally conscious that no coverage was carried out by our shopper with out the approval, directive or authorization of the President and/or the Federal Govt Council of which you have been an vital and highly effective member.”
He known as on the Senate President to instantly retract his assertion, which had gone viral, or danger being indicted.
Emefiele mentioned: “It’s on the idea of the above and with out going into the matter at present earlier than the court docket that our shopper has directed that we write to your good workplaces demanding the speedy retraction of your assertion which has gone viral and as defamatory of our Consumer
“These baseless and false accusations defame the character of Our Consumer and have additionally prompted him nice ache and disgrace because it has lowered his esteem for the right-thinking members of the Affiliation, along with the apparent reward and defamation of the unsuspecting members of the Affiliation. Society on account of the untruth contained in that assertion.
“We’ve got, subsequently, additional directed our shopper to demand from you an unconditional written apology, revealed and disseminated by means of the identical medium by means of which you defamed his character, and the sum of N25,000,000,000 as cheap compensation for the deliberate and justifiable humiliation of his hard-earned status. Should you fail, refuse or neglect to adjust to this authentic demand, our shopper shall be at liberty to hunt the suitable treatment obtainable to him below the legal guidelines of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
