Emefiele Sues Akpabio For Defamation, Seeks N1 Billion In Damages
Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has initiated legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking N1 billion in damages for defamation. The move comes in response to comments made by Akpabio regarding Emefiele’s tenure and alleged involvement in economic mismanagement.
In a notice sent to the Senate President on February 19, 2024, Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, highlighted Akpabio’s statement on February 18, 2024, where he reportedly said, “We don’t know what to charge Emefiele with.” Burkaa argued that these remarks, made during a thanksgiving service in Rivers State, were false, distorted, and aimed at tarnishing Emefiele’s reputation.
Akpabio’s comments suggested that Emefiele had left the Nigerian economy in disarray and that the government was unsure about the charges to bring against him. However, Emefiele’s legal team countered this by pointing out that charges had been filed against him since August 14, 2023, and that he had pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The letter from Emefiele’s lawyer emphasized that Akpabio, as a former key member of the Federal Executive Council, was well aware of the processes and decisions taken during Emefiele’s tenure. It argued that Emefiele’s actions were always subject to approval and authorization from higher authorities, including the President and the Federal Executive Council.
Furthermore, the letter stated that Akpabio’s remarks had caused significant harm to Emefiele’s reputation and demanded an unreserved written apology, to be published and circulated through the same medium that conveyed the defamatory statements. Additionally, Emefiele sought N1 billion as reasonable compensation for the damage done to his reputation.
Burkaa warned that failure to comply with the demands would prompt further legal action to seek redress under Nigerian law.
See a copy of the letter below>>>>>
