The Immediate past Chairman of Nnewi branch of Nigerian Bar Association, P.C. Uguwanyi Esq, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Franklin Ofodeme Esq, to apologize over his “defamatory statements” against him.

This was made known in a letter dated 1st June, addressed to Franklin Ofodeme, NBA Nnewi branch publicity Secretary, and made available to TheNigerialawyer(TNL).

He also demanded an immediate retraction of the “offensive and derogatory” publication and tender a written apology which he shall cause to be published in the same manner he caused the defamatory statements to be published against him.

The statement reads in part:

“My attention has been drawn to the defamatory statement you caused to be published against me by a social media platform, thenigerianlawyer.com on 29th May, 2021. In the said publication, you were said to have stated thus:

“The committee found that the attendance register was indeed altered and mutilated, that the motive was to make it seem like A.A Igwebuike Esq, attended the Branch meeting more number of times than he actually did. The committee also found that A.A. Igwebuike Esq and P.C. Ugwuanyi Esq (the immediate past Chairman of the branch) were responsible for the act”

You were further said to have made further comment thus:

“On the other hand, the Ad – hoc Audit Committee which had earlier on the 30 th day of April, 2021 submitted their report, also presented a follow-up report wherein they recommended that the immediate past chairman of the branch, P.C. Uguwanyi Esq, should refund to the branch, the total sum of N1,140,000.00 (One million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) the money is part of the money expended by him without approval of the General meeting in line with Article 13(6) of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws and without due explanation”

“You are aware that those statements said to have been made by you were defamatory but you made them to defame my character and tarnish my image and reputation.

“TAKE note that at the expiration of the said seven days without the said statements having been retracted by you, I shall have no other option than to take necessary legal actions against you. Be warned”.

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