The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is demanding that Anthony Aziegbemi, the head of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapter in Edo, recant the charge of election rigging against him.
In a statement dated September 14, Aziegbemi accused Ribadu and the Department of State Service (DSS) of being involved in a conspiracy by the Federal Government to rig the next Edo Governorship Election. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
He claimed that as part of the plot, Ribadu had given the APC candidate for governor of the state two million US dollars.
Charles Musa & Co., Ribadu’s attorneys, responded to the accusation by calling it “totally false” and demanding an instant retraction.
“We are responding to your press release headed “Edo 2024: presidency’s plot to influence, manipulate guber vote using DSS, NSA discovered” on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our client).
The letter stated, “Among other false allegations made by the publication, $2 million was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies.”
The attorneys claimed that the false and malicious statement had led their client into public disdain and odium.
They contend that it is completely untrue and detrimental to their client’s reputation to depict him as an enabler of corruption and his office as a tool of a political party eager to wreck havoc in Edo.
As the first Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a well-known career police officer, our client has continuously shown honesty and a dedication to combating corruption.
“That he would be part in such heinous deeds is unfathomable.
We require a written apology to our client and the complete retraction of the publication in light of the significant harm your unfounded and misleading accusations have caused.
The retraction must also be published as a full-page advertisement in at least five national newspapers, ten reliable and popular online news outlets, seven national and international television stations, and ten radio stations with a national and international audience, according to their demands.
In addition, the attorneys sought N10 billion in damages for harm to their clients’ reputations and other grievances.
They said, “Take notice that we will follow our client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights, if our demands are not met within seven days.”
