Magu Writes SUN Newspaper, Seeks N5bn Compensation for Libel
Adetokunbo Fakeye
The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, is seeking a N5 billion compensation from the publishers of The SUN newspaper, for “libelous imputations and statements” made against him in a story published on the March 25, 2017 edition of the Saturday Sun , captioned “Magu Under Fresh Probe over 2 Abuja Mansions”.
In a letter dated March 30, 2017, sent to the publishers by Magu’s solicitor, Wahab Shittu, he noted that the authors of the story – Fred Itua, James Ojo and Lawrene Enyoghasu, “willfully and maliciously made false, destructive, and defamatory statements” against him.
The letter stated further, “Quoting unnamed sources, the writers of the “offensive” report, had maliciously alleged that Magu owned “two mansions on different streets in highbrow Maitama area of Abuja”, a case which they could not substantiate, and which in fact was false, and nothing but the figments of their imaginations.
While further reiterating that “neither himself nor his wife own any property in Maitama”, Magu in addition to the demand for N5 billion compensation, has charged the publishers to issue a public apology or retraction of the story within the next seven days.
They are also to provide “written assurance within seven days, that you will cease and desist from further defamation” of Magu’s name, integrity, and reputation, “whether the statements are made by you or third party”.
Magu further demanded for the “immediate retraction in writing of these false libelous statements”, within the next seven days, and must be published on the front page of the newspaper, failure of which, “legal remedies including monetary damages, injunctive reliefs, and an order that you pay necessary costs including solicitor’s fees for your defamation”, will be taken.