Olusegun Obasanjo
According to a report by Punch Metro, Olusegun Obasanjo has sued an
online journalist and radio presenter, Mr. Akanda Oro, popularly known
as Awikonko, for N1bn.
Obasanjo described as untrue claims by the reporter that he had a
hand in the assassination of the late Attorney General of the
Federation, Chief Bola Ige (SAN), and the slain National Vice-Chairman
of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, Marshall Harry.
The journalist was quoted as saying on live radio that Obasanjo
killed Ige and that President Muhammadu Buhari had even claimed at the
burial of the late Harry that the Obasanjo-led government sponsored the
killing of the ANPP chieftain.
Awikonko was quoted as saying, “Obasanjo’s murder of Bola Ige, if
not for the shortage of time, I would have listed the names of those
murdered by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his regime.
“Bloodshed during Obasanjo Aremu’s regime was too much (foolish old man).
“There are repercussions for every evil deed done… In case you
hear of my death, do not be sad. Perhaps this is the only mission I have
been sent by God to accomplish.
“The fellow that killed a whole minister of justice and attorney general of the federation went scot-free.
“So, what will it cost him to kill me, a commoner? Let him go
and commit suicide or take himself before Ogun shrine to swear that he
does not know anything about the murder of Bola Ige and Marshall Harry
or that all his children die in his lifetime.”
In the suit filed by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Obasanjo said
the claims by the journalist, which were also posted on social media,
were malicious and false.
In the suit filed before Justice O.A. Adenyi of Apo Federal Capital
Territory High Court with number FCT/HC/CV/2920/18, the former
President asked that Awikonko retract the publication.
It read in part, “A declaration that the publication complained
of are false, malicious, unjustified, injurious, scornful, distasteful,
unsavoury and have exposed the claimant to public odium, ridicule and
disdain both nationally and internationally.
“A declaration that the words complained of do not constitute a valid exercise by the defendant of his freedom of speech.
“The sum of one billion naira only against the defendant as
general damages for the defamation of the claimant’s hard earned
reputation.”