Purported Suspension: Ogun APC Publicity Secretary, Oladunjoye, demands retraction, written apology and N100 million damages from ex-lawmaker

Following a purported suspension and libelous publication against him, the Ogun State Publicity Secretary has written to a former lawmaker, Hon. Deko Onamusi, demanding a retraction, apology, and N100 million naira as damages.

In a letter dated April 20, 2024, by Oladunjoye’s counsel, Taofik Oladele Lawal Esq, titled “Demand For Retraction, Written/Published Apology And Payment Of N100 Million Naira As Damages For Your Defamatory Publication (Libel) Against Hon. Olatunde Oladunjoye,” the notary public warned that except the demands are met within 72 hours, “we shall have no other alternative than to use all lawful and legal means to redeem the wrong done our client. This we shall do without no further recourse to you.”

The letter reads:
“We are Solicitors and our services have been retained by Hon. Olatunde Oladunjoye also known as Comrade Ambassador Tunde Oladunjoye (CATO) hereinafter referred to as ‘our client’. We have our client’s consent and authority to write this letter to you.

“That our client’s attention has been drawn by our client’s professional colleagues, political associates, friends, mentees, and members of the public within and outside Nigeria to a false, libelous publication you made maliciously 16/4/2024 about your orchestrated purported suspension of our client from the Itele Ward 7 of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the following grounds to wit; i. Polarization of the Party 2. Abuse of Office 3. Withholding of 2023 election funds.

“That the libelous publication referred to in paragraph 6 above was uploaded, shared, and forwarded severally on various social media among which, inter alia, are WhatsApp, Facebook, and several blogs. You also caused a letter to be written to the Ogun State Headquarters of our Client’s Political Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) informing the Chairman of the party and other executive members of the purported suspension of our client from the party, an action which you maliciously and unconstitutionally orchestrated.

“That the said publications are false and malicious and thus libelous both in their ordinary and intended innuendos.

“That while our client, as a well-bred Yoruba man, has shown respect to you as his leader and generosity to you, including a N25,000.00 gift at the last Christmas, you have continued to disregard, disrespect, and lie against our clients for reason of hate and envy; the latest being your orchestrated “suspension” of our client from Itele Ward 7 of the APC; an act you committed having impersonated the Ward Chairman and other executives of the party at the ward.

“Sir, from the foregoing, you will agree with us that the right of our client has been infringed by your good self arising from the said false, malicious, and libelous publication about our client’s reputation which he has built over the last five decades of his life.

“Consequently, our client has further instructed us to demand and we hereby demand as follows: A written public apology, to be published in at least two widely read newspapers with wide circulation all over Nigeria; an unconditional retraction of the said false and malicious publication you made on 16/4/2024 about your orchestrated purported suspension of our client from the Itele Ward 7 of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the following grounds to wit; i. Polarization of the party 2. Abuse of Office 3. Withholding of 2023 election funds; adequate compensation in the sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira only) being damages for libelous publication you made on 16/4/2024 about your orchestrated purported suspension of our client from the Itele Ward 7 of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Take notice that if you fail, refuse, and/or neglect to respond positively to our client’s demand as above within 72 hours after the receipt of this letter by, we shall have no other alternative than to use all lawful and legal means to redeem the wrong done our client. This we shall do without no further recourse to you.”