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Defamation:Emefiele threatens Akpabio with N25bn suit

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has threatened to sue the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio N25 billion over alleged defamation of character.

Emefiele through his lawyer Matthew Burkaa, SAN, in a letter addressed to the Senate President, demanded an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which he allegedly defamed his character and the sum of N25 billion as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his reputation.

Recall that Senator Akpabio on Channels Television recently accused the former CBN governor of printing naira notes without income and possessing first arms.

Emefiele’s lawyer said the statement credited to the Senate President means that his client is “the cause of the entire hardship in Nigeria today is as a result of the policies of the previous administration

“A serial offender whose action is responsible for all the hardship experienced by Nigerians today.

“A person who has committed offences that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offences to prefer a charge against him”.

The letter however said “Your Excellency, as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you certainly know, or have reasons to know that the Federal Government of Nigeria had since the 14th August, 2023 preferred Charges against Our Client to which he had long pleaded not guilty and is presently defending same to exonerate himself and show that he is not guilty of the said allegations.

It is therefore disturbing, that such a statement would be made by the Head of the Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a matter that is clearly subjudice. Your statement, with the greatest respect, clearly undermines the honour and integrity of the Court and its independence and indeed has the propensity of prejudicing the case against Our Client.

“Having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court, it is only fair and proper that the Court should be allowed to determine the issues submitted to it without unnecessary pressure from any other arm of Government.

“Secondly Sir, as a Senior member of the Bar, a former Governor of a State, A Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Minister under the immediate past Administration, Your statement attributing the present economic woes of the country solely on Our Client is most appalling and exposes the inaccuracies in Your assertions, especially, as you were a major player in the immediate Past Administration and worked closely with Our Client and indeed witnessed the innovations he introduced in the banking sector and its impact on the economy whilst in office, as well as the role he played despite all odds in salvaging Nigeria in the P & ID Saga and the positive result it brought for Nigeria”.

Furthermore, the letter reminded the Senate President that no single policy was carried out by Emefiele without the approval, directive or authorization of the President and/or the Federal Executive Council of which he was a member.

“It is pursuant to the above and without delving into the matter presently pending in Court that Our Client has instructed that we write to Your good offices and demand the immediate retraction of Your statement which has gone viral and are considered clearly defamatory of Our Client.

“These baseless and false allegations clearly defames the character of Our Client and has also caused him great pains and embarrassment as it has lowered his esteem before the right thinking members of the Society in addition to the obvious odium and opprobrium from the unsuspecting members of the Society as a result of the falsity contained in that statement.

“We therefore have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character and the sum of Twenty-Five Billion Naira (N25,000,000,000) as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard earned reputation. In the event that you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with this legitimate demand, Our Client will be at liberty to seek the appropriate redress available to him under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the letter added.

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Suspected Boko Haram kill two vigilantes, 10 firewood fetchers in Borno

Two vigilantes and ten firewood fetchers in Bokko Ghide community, Gwoza local government area of Borno state have been killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, the Emir of Gwoza, confirmed the incident, explaining that the vigilantes (Civilian JTF) were ambushed and killed by the assailants along Kirawa road under Pulka District.

He also explained that the 10 other victims were those who went into the bush in search of firewood.

The Emir stated that they (firewood fetches) went to a nearby bush in search of firewood on Saturday when the boys (insurgents) ambushed them and killed ten and left 2 with life threatening injuries.

He said that they buried the 10 and evacuated the injured victims to Maiduguri for medical attention.

According to him, “It’s very sad that two of my Civilian JTF members, who sacrificed their lives for my people, were also killed on Friday.”

He prayed to God to reward their sacrifices and grant them Janatul Firdaus, and give their family and the community the fortitude to bear the loss.

While commending the state government and the military for their relentless effort in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency, he added that they have been doing their best in managing the crisis for over a decade.

He, however, wants the military to deploy technological warfare like drones and other sophisticated weapons to end the crisis.

The Emir observed that the rainy season is about to set in and the people are now scared to visit their farmlands.

The attacks came barely 48 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent the Minister of Defense, Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military commanders to assess the security situation in Borno State.

The Minister of Defence, had assured that the Federal Government would provide more military support to deal with the security challenges in Borno and the northeast

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Father and son allegedly poisoned to death in Ebonyi

A middle-aged man, popularly known as Uncle Light, and his son, Miracle, were allegedly poisoned to death in Ebonyi State.

The incident happened at Ebebe Junction in Abakaliki on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

It was gathered that the victims were living with a woman who reportedly moved in with the man after divorcing her husband earlier this year.

The woman is suspected of having poisoned the food they ate

Police operatives arrived at the compound with a man who identified himself as the brother of the woman in question.

He told police that his sister was ill and currently in custody.

Another resident, who also pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to talk.

“I heard a loud voice in the middle of the night and I told my wife that something was happening in our neighbourhood. At a point, we thought it was noise from church people doing their programme. It was early in the morning that we saw the son struggling and writhing in pain and came outside the gate,” the source said.

“He was crying for water. A friend provided him with water before he suddenly d!ed. We are suspecting diarrhoea, but it’s for an autopsy to confirm what k!lled him.”

The bodies have been evacuated by the police. (Punch)

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‘We are with you’- Oyebanji assures Ekiti people after heavy rainstorm

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has sympathised with the people of the state over the havoc wreaked by rainstorm in some parts of the state on Saturday.

The storm affected many private and public buildings as well as facilities across the state. However, no life was lost.

Moved by the development, the Governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately commence an assessment of properties that were affected with a view to assisting the victims.

While assuring the people of the state that they would not be left alone at this critical period, Governor Oyebanji urges the people of the state to remain calm and go about their daily activities without any fear, while Government takes inventory of the damaged properties and facilities with a view to responding appropriately.

“We are in it together”, the Governor assures the people in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday evening.

“The Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state and will not leave any stone unturned in providing timely succor to the victims of the rainstorm”, the statement added.