- Gives media outfit, CUPP 7days ultimatum to retract allegation or face court action
The Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, has denied allegations of receiving a $2 million bribe to frustrate the suit seeking to sack 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members over defection.
He also warned those spreading the accusations to retract them immediately or face legal action.
Ajibade was reacting to a report titled: “PDP Legal Adviser Allegedly Receives $2m To File A Secret Court Paper Against Sacking Of Rivers APC Lawmakers Until Fubara Is Sacked” which was published on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in an online media outfit.
The report which was credited to a group that identified itself as the PDP Stakeholders Forum alleged that the acting national chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, received the sum of $2 million along with the party’s national legal adviser.
The report further alleged that the duo received the money on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) so that the party would allow the lawyers of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to file secret processes in court to stop the court from declaring the seats of the 27 defected Rivers State House of Assembly members who left PDP to APC vacant.
Ajibade in a letter to the online media outfit described the publication as not only misleading but also damaging, malicious, and defamatory to his character and professional integrity
He said: “The fact that the headline or the report which alleged that I received the spurious $2 million is different from the details provided, shows clearly that it was deliberately tailored to dent my image using 247ureports and its sponsors.
“I want to state categorically here that I have no knowledge, no link, and nothing whatsoever to do with the allegation raised in your report.
“Contrary to the claims made by your report I had in January 2024, personally filed a suit on behalf of the PDP, to challenge the defection of the 27 lawmakers to APC.
“At no point have I engaged in any unethical behavior in both my private and public service throughout my more than three decades of legal practice?
“My commitment to upholding the values of the legal profession and maintaining the dignity of my family name is unwavering”, he said.
He therefore urged the media outfit and the Coalition of United Political Parties to retract the allegations or face legal action.
“I hereby give 247ureports, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and its publicity secretary, Mallam Abubakar Isa, a 7-day ultimatum to retract this malicious allegation, which is not only false but also damaging to my reputation, failing which will leave me with no choice but to seek stringent legal redress.
“I trust that 247ureports, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and its publicity secretary, will act responsibly and retract their erroneous publication within the stipulated timeframe”, he said.
