Prof. Osinbajo Demand Apologies, Seek Legal Action & N2B Damages From Fani-Kayode

APC's Vice Presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has demanded N2 billion as damages from the presidential spokesman of the PDP, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode for alleged publication and dissemination of defamatory statements against him. Professor Osinbajo is also asking for immediate retraction within seven days of the offensive and derogatory publication as well as apology on four TV channels and four national newspapers circulating in all parts of Nigeria.

In a letter dated February 28, addressed to Mr Fani-Kayode by Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf of Osinbajo, he is complaining of a statement made by the PDP presidential spokesman which was broadcast on Channels TV and published in several newspapers alleging that “Osinbajo made a secret oath with Senator Bola Tinubu to be his surrogate as Vice President for a period of six months to be followed by his resignation.”

The letter also demanded an immediate retraction of the “offensive and derogatory” publication and an apology on four Television channels and national newspapers.

“Be advised that if we do not receive your formal retraction and apology and damages as demanded within seven days of receipt hereof, we shall proceed with our client’s instructions to seek appropriate legal remedies for your publication and dissemination of defamatory statements,” 

Mr. Falana said that the statement, wherein he labelled Mr. Osinbajo as Mr. Tinubu’s ‘stooge,’ hurt the vice presidential candidate having been disseminated to millions of TV viewers, including on print and online media.

“As it were, the statement has now been published and circulated to an undetermined number of people in Nigeria, and internationally outside Nigeria. The direct meaning, imputation, purport and/or innuendo or insinuation of the false, misleading and defamatory statements is that: ‘Professor Osinbajo is deceitful.  

Essentially, you alleged that his motivation and pledge to serve as Vice President of Nigeria is inconsistent with his avowed desire to serve this nation with General Buhari, and work assiduously to deliver the benefits of his commitment, party and personal promises to the people.’ 

“Your characterization of Professor Osinbajo as a ‘stooge’ in context suggests that he is complicit in a fraud against the Nigerian people.”

Mr. Falana further said that Mr. Fani-Kayode’s statements imply that his client lacks integrity and had engaged in a conduct incompatible with his faith and ethics as a pastor and respected lawyer.

“It is clear that the entire publication was a vicious, wicked and reckless ploy to impugn the reputation of our client and lower him in the estimation of right thinking members of the public,” 

“We therefore demand immediate retraction of the offensive and derogatory publication and apology on four TV channels and four national newspapers circulating in all parts of Nigeria and damages in the sum of N2 billion. Mr. Falana added.

Source: Vanguard