Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele threatens Senate President Godswill Akpabio with N25bn lawsuit over defamation of character.
Godswill Akpabio had earlier stated during a Thanksgiving service at Rivers State a few days ago that the FG has no idea what crimes to charge Emefiele with. He said Emefiele's atrocities wreaked havoc on the country's economy.
Through his lawyer, Emefiele delivered a letter to Akpabio demanding a written apology to be published in the media or risk an N25bn lawsuit. He said Akpabio labeled him a serial offender in his words and claimed he is responsible for Nigeria's woes.
It read;
"We are solicitors to Dr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”), on whose brief and instruction, we write this letter. The above statement, whether taken in their ordinary, figurative, or literal meaning portrayed our Client as:
The cause of the entire hardship in Nigeria today is due to 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 offenses that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offenses to prefer a charge against him.
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 August 14, 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 honor 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."