Connect with us
Advertisement

Politics

Atiku Drags Buhari’s Aide To Court Over Defamation

Published

on

2023: PDP Releases Remaining Presidential Campaign Rally Event Schedules
Advertisement

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has resolved to sue the social media assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, for allegedly defaming his character.

Speaking to Punch on Tuesday, counsel to the former VP, Mike Ozekhome, said the 48 hours given to Onochie to settle the matter out of court had lapsed.

“Of course, we are going to court because she has even aggravated the issue. She posted another comment online abusing Atiku saying that he was talking nonsense. She seems not to understand the gravity of what she has done,” Ozekhome said.

Advertisement

“She has aggravated the matter. We shall meet in court and we practise a constitutional democracy and we are a society governed by laws. We are preparing to go to court. In my chambers, we don’t threaten people for the fun of it.

“When we say we will go to court if a demand is not meant, we stand by our words. We may even increase the lawsuit above N2bn because she has aggravated the matter.”

Naija News had reported that Atiku Abubakar asked Lauretta Onochie for an apology and N500 million for defamation.

Advertisement

In a letter dated May 14 and addressed to Onochie by his lawyer Mike Ozekhome, Atiku threatened to begin a N2 billion suit against her if she did not meet his demands.

On May 7, Onochie had tweeted that the former vice-president was on a United Arab Emirates (UAE) watch list.

Instead of apologising, Onnochie took to Facebook to berate the former Vice President and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Advertisement
Advertisement

She said the demand for a public apology showed that Atiku was suffering from depression.

She wrote, “Good morning Family and Friends. This is in no way responding to the depressed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar whose aides are constantly cooking up disgrace for him, for the sake of their stomachs, instead of giving him his pills.

“This is to reassure my PERSONAL PEOPLE who are concerned and have emailed, texted or called to know if I’m fine that truly, I had the most hilarious day yesterday and that I am very fine. I continue to laugh at the clowns who do not know what they are walking into.

“We are entering into the most crucial time at the Election Tribunal where the mandate freely given to our beloved President by Nigerians, is being challenged and I’m their nightmare. In their thinking, “Let’s distract Lauretta Onochie. We can’t afford to have her focused on her job.

“I can’t be distracted. Truly I can’t for very simple reasons. I have a great family that thinks the world of me. My friends are fiercely loyal and committed because they know me. 34 million Buharists across world are on standby. Always. I have the witness of a clear conscience. I love Nigeria and her wellbeing is my focus.”