Atiku demands public apology from Buhari’s aide over defamation

Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democractic
Party, (PDP) has asked Lauretta Onochie, an aide to President Muhammadu
Buhari to issue him a public apology over an alleged defamatory
statements.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

Abubakar made the request in a letter dated May 14 and addressed to Onochie by his counsel, Mr Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

In the letter, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Abubakar threatened to institute a N2 billion
suit against Onochie if she did not meet his demands.

Ozekhome said the letter was sequel to a defamatory publication made
by Onochie on May 7, saying the former vice-president was on a United
Arab Emirates (UAE) watch list.

He added that she also alleged that he was shopping for terrorist in
the Middle East thereby portraying him as an evil man, mentor or
terrorists and someone who has links with terrorist.

“Our client categorically denies each and every allegation contained
in the said publication which is a figment of your imagination.

“Our client states most emphatically that the entire opprobrious and
denigrating story above referred to is most misleading, baseless, false,
malicious and totally bereft of any foundation.’

The lawyer said that his client was not and had never been on the watch list of the UAE or any other country.

He added Atiku had never been denied entry into the UAE or interrogated by its authorities or security agents.

“It is quite revealing that even as we write this letter, our client
is presently in the UAE and has not been accosted by any security
agencies over the said frivolous and baseless allegations.’’

The presidential candidate asked Onochie to publish a retraction in
six national newspapers and one international daily, as well as on all
social media platforms where the said publication was made.

NAN