Mr. Tony Elumelu has demanded a public apology from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Relations over an alleged #41 Billion fraud credited to him.

This is contained in a letter written on his behalf by R.A Lawal Rabanna, SAN & Kemi Balogun, SAN which was sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer, titled “FALSE AND MALICIOUS ALLEGATIONS BY SENATOR AYI AKINYELURE AGAINST UBA PLC, AND IT CHAIRMAN,MR.TONY. O ELUMELU, CON.”

“We write on behalf of Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CON(our Clients) whose attention has been drawn to several false online publications credited to senator Ayo Akinyelure the chairman of Senate Committee on Ethics, privileges and public petitions alleging the involvement of UBA and indictment of Mr Elumelu in a . 41,000 000 000 Naira (Forty-one Billion Naira) fraud relating to NITEL in liquidation.”

Meanwhile, it was noted that Mr. Elumelu is shocked by the allegations.

“Our client is shocked by this false, baseless, and mischievous allegation as neither he nor any of the organisation associated with him has ever been involved in or indicted for any fraud as was falsely alleged by senator Ayo Akinyelure

“Our clients are also alarmed and appalled by this deliberate peddling of falsehoods and misinformation against an unblemished personal and business reputation, painstakingly built by our client over several decades with great personal sacrifice and unquestionable integrity. “

Besides, it was stated that the attempt is geared towards using the Senate by the Chairman to achieve an ulterior motive.

“Our client rejects Senator Akinyelure’s attempt to use the platform of the respected institution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to accomplish whatever ulterior motives he may have.”

In addition, it was stressed that the subject matter is still pending before the Supreme Court of Nigeria in SC/CV/112/2020 and as such, contrary to sub judice rule to further comment on it as done by the Senator, in “total disregard of the Rules of Senate and the Rule of Law”.

“It is important to emphasise that when UBA appeared before the Senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petition, attention was drawn to the fact that the fact and circumstances leading to the dispute on the alleged financial indebtedness was pending before the Supreme Court in SC/CV/112/202o. Was resolved that given the pending of the matter at the Supreme Court, it was sub-judice and all action on the matter be suspended. It is shocking and sacrilegious that a matter pending at the Apex court could be subjected to debate, contrary to the Rules of the Senate and by extension, the principle of law that when a matter is Sub-judice, it should not be subjected to debate before a decision is received by the court. Therefore the publication ascribed to Senator Ayo Akinyelure is in total disregard of the Rules of the Senate and Rule of law.”

In consequence thereof, demand has been made for the publication against Mr. Tony to be retracted within 7 days or subject the Senator to rigours of litigation.

“Our Client has instructed us to, and we have demanded an immediate open, public and unreserved retraction of the said statements credited to Senator Akinyelure and an apology from Senator Akinyelure for this false allegation and defamation of our Client.

We have our Client’s instructions to take all appropriate legal actions against Senator Akinyelure and his media agents if our above-stated demand is not met within Seven (7) days of receipt of our demand letter.” The letter concluded.

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